YASSAR    COLLEGE 


AND   ITS 


FOUNDER 


BY  BE^SO:N~  j    LOSSI^G 


NEW    YORK 

C     A     ALVORD     PRINTER 
1867 


PREFACE. 


THE  correspondence  on  another  page  answers  all  proper 
inquiries  concerning  the  origin  and  meaning  of  this  vol 
ume.  It  is  right  to  say  here,  that  to  the  generous 
liberality  of  Mr.  Vassar,  who  gladly  co-operated  with  the 
Executive  Committee,  the  Author  is  indebted  for  the 
means  necessary  to  make  this  work  an  example  of  great 
excellence  in  the  wedded  arts  of  Engraving  and  Printing. 

Nearly  all  of  the  illustrations  were  drawn  on  the  wood 
by  Joux  F.  RUXGE — a  greater  number  of  them  from  his 
original  sketches  made  for  the  work.  The  Engravings, 
excepting  the  portrait  of  the  Founder,  from  the  burin 
of  J.  C.  BUTTRE,  are  by  LOSSING  cfe  BARRITT,  and  the 
printing  by  C.  A.  ALVORD. 

The  Author  here  records  his   grateful  acknowledgments 

o  o 

to     the     Founder,     the     Officers     and     Trustees,     and    the 

M116633 


IV  PREFACE. 


Faculty  and  Teachers  of  Vassal1  College,  for  their  kind 
and  cheerful  assistance  in  furnishing  information  for  his 
use  in  the  preparation  of  this  Memoir. 


POUGHKEEPSIE,     N  .     Y . 

June,   18(57. 


CORBESPOXDEXCE. 


VASSAH  COLLEGE. 
POUGIIKEEPSIE,  X.  Y.,   Mirch  15,   18(57. 

Mr.  BENSON  J.  LOSSING: — 

DEAR  SIR: — At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  this 
College,  the  consideration  of  the  propriety  and  importance  of  collecting  and 
embodying  the  main  facts  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Matthew  Vassar,  especially  as 
connected  with  the  foundation  and  establishment  of  this  College,  Jed  to  the 
unanimous  adoption  of  the  following  preamble  and  resolution,  which  I  have 
great  pleasure  in  officially  communicating  to  you  : 

il  Whereas,  It  is  desirable  that  the  College  should  possess,  as  a  matter  of 
public  interest,  and  as  a  record  to  be  perpetually  preserved,  a  Memoir  of  its 
Founder,  Matthew  Yassar,  and  a  succinct  history  of  the  inception  and  final 
establishment  of  this  College  ; 

'"''And  whereas,  Benson  J.  Lossing  is  one  of  its  trustees,  and  eminently 
qualified  for  such  a  labor  ;  therefore, 

"  Resolred,  That  Mr.  Lossing  be  requested,  to  prepare,  in  such  form  and 
style  as  his  judgment,  experience,  and  taste,  and  the  greatness  of  the 
enterprise  may  suggest,  a  History  of  the  College,  and  of  its  Founder ;  and 
that  the  Founder,  and  all  officers  of  the  College,  be  requested  to  place  at 
his  disposal  all  facts  and  documents  he  may  desire." 


VI  CORRESPONDENCE. 

It    is   earnestly   hoped   you   may   be    able   to    take   the    work    in    hand    at 
once,   and  while  Mr.  Vassar'.s  powers  of  mind  and  body  remain  so  remarkably 

unimpaired. 

Very  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

0.  SWAN,   Secretary. 


POCGITKEEPSIE,  N.  Y.,  Mirth  10,  1807. 
DEAI?  SIR:— 

Your  note,    conveying  the  resolution  of  the    Executive    Committee   of   the 

Board  of  Trustees  of  Vassar  College,   inviting  me  to  prepare   a  Memoir  of  its 

Founder,  and  a  brief  history  of  its  inception  and  final  establishment,  is  received. 

I    accept     the     invitation    with     satisfaction,    and    with     thanks     for    the 

expression  of  confidence  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

I    will    endeavor    to    have    the    task    completed    before    the    close    of    the 
current  collegiate  year. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  friend  and  co-worker, 

BENSON  J.  LOSSINO. 

MR.  C.  SWAN, 

Secretary  of  the,  Board  of  T-m*tf,ex  of  Vftxxar  College,. 


1.  PORTRAIT  OF  MATTHEW   YASSAR. 

2.  MONOGRAM              1 

3.  ILLUSTRATIONS 7 

4.  BIRTHPLACE 9 

5.  INITIAL  LETTER-MINERVA 9 

6.  YASSAR   COLLEGE 10 

7.  FIRST  RESIDENCE  IN  POUGHKEEPSIE 17 

8.  THE  WAPPENGFS  CREEK 18 

9.  STONE  LINTEL 20 

10.  SOFA 21 

11.  VAX  KLEECK  HOUSE 22 

12.  ANN  YASSAR                  ^ 

13.  JAMES  YASSAR ^ 

14.  THOMAS  YASSAR 26 

Ib.  THE  COURT-HOUSE 27 

16.  BREWERY  ON  YASSAR  STREET ...  32 

17.  BREWERY  ON  THE  RIVER 35 

15.  GUY'S  HOSPITAL 42 

19.  MR.  YASSAR'S  RESIDENCE   .                         ^ 

20.  SPRINGSIDE  IN  Itiul 61 

21.  MAP  AND  YIEW  IN  SPRINGSIDE       , 63 

22.  ENTRANCE  TO  SPRINGSIDE 65 

23.  THE  COTTAGE 68 

24.  COTTAGE  AYENUE  GATE 69 

25.  VIEW  FROM  POPLAR  SUMMIT  DRIVE            ...  73 

26.  THE  CONSERVATORY  AND  GARDENER'S  COTTAGE 75 

27.  THE  PAGODA 76 

28.  WILLOW  STRING ^ 

29.  JET  VALE  FOUNTAIN    .  71> 


Vlll  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

J'A<;R 

30.  FAC-SIMILE  OF  MR.  VASSAR'S  WRITING  AT  THE  AGE  OF  SEVENTY-FIVE  YEARS  85 

31.  VASSA1I  COLLEGE  SEAL 86 

3-2-46.  SIGNATURES  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  COLLEGE 89 

47-59.  SIGNATURES  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  COLLEGE 90 

GO.  MAP  OF  THE  COLLEGE  FARM 99 

61.  CELLAR  OR  GROUND  PLAN  OF  THE  COLLEGE 101 

G2.  GATEWAY  AND  PORTER'S  LODGE ....  109 

63.  THE  GYMNASIUM Ill 

64.  PLAN  OF  THE  FIRST  STORY 116 

G5.  PLAN  OF  PRINCIPAL  FLOOR,  OR  SECOND  STORY 122 

G6.  THE  CENTRAL  DOUBLE  STAIRWAY            123 

67.  PLAN  OF  SECOND  FLOOR,  OR  THIRD  STORY 125 

68.  THE  CHAPEL,  FROM  THE  GALLERY 126 

69.  ARABKSQUE  SCROLL 127 

70.  PLAN  OF  Til  I  III)  FLOOR,  OR  FOURTH  STORY 130 

71.  THE  ART  GALLERY 131 

72.  MATTHEW  YASSAR 132 

73.  BATTLE  OF  THE  AMAZONS 139 

74.  PLAN  OF  ATTIC  FLOOR 142 

75.  CABINET  OF  GEOLOGY  AND  MINERALOGY  144 

* 

76.  THE  OBSERVATORY 146 

77.  MERIDIAN  SECTION,  AND  GROUND  PLAN  OF  THE  OBSERVATORY         ...  148 

78.  FIRST  ASTRONOMICAL  OBSERVATION  AT  VASSAR  COLLEGE 151 

79.  THE  RIDING-SCIIOOI 153 

80.  THE  CALISTIIENIC  HALL 155 

81.  COSTUME  OF  THE  FIRST  STUDENTS  OF  VASSAR  COLLEGE 156 

82.  MILL  COVE  LAKE  IN  SUMMER 157 

S3.  THE  PUMP-HOUSE  AND  ITS  SURROUNDINGS 158 

84.  SCENE  IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  MILL  COVE  BROOK .159 

85.  GROVE  OF  ANCIENT  WILLOWS 160 

86.  THE  MEETING  OF  THE  WATERS         .                         161 

87.  HEAD  OF  THE  GLEN     ,  162 


BlKTK-PLACE. 


TsT  a  pleasant  rural  city  on  the  eastern  bank  of 
the  Hudson  River  lives  a  man,  while  this  sen 
tence  is  flowing  from  the  pen,  who  has  passed, 
by  the  space  of  five  years,  the  Scripture  limit 
of  active  human  life.  In  person  he  is  a  little 
less  than  medium  height,  well  proportioned,  and 
compactly  built.  He  has  a  fair  complexion, 
with  lingerings  of  the  ruddiness  of  good  health  upon  his 
cheeks.  The  brown  hair  of  his  earlier  days  is  much  out- 
measured  by  the  whiter  crown  of  age.  His  dark  gray  eyes 
beam  with  the  luster  of  vigorous  middle  life  and  the  radiance 
of  inextinguishable  good-humor.  His  nose  is  of  the  Roman 

2 


10  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

type  and  firmly  set,  and  the  general  expression  of  his  face  is 
pleasant  to  friends  and  strangers ;  for  upon  his  countenance, 
whether  in  action  or  in  repose,  is  seen  the  perpetual  sunshine 
of  a  gentle,  cheerful  nature  ;  while  his  voice,  low  and  flexible, 
is  always  musical  with  kindly  cadences.  Like  Howe's  ideal— 

"•  As^e  sits  with  decent  grace  upon  his  visage. 
And  worthily  becomes  his  silver  locks.1' 

On  the  walls  of  his  modest  dwelling  hang  pictures  of 
existing  buildings  which  are  a  part  of  his  personal  history. 
One  is  clustered  with  associations  of  his  infancy  and  earliest 
childhood ;  the  other  is  hallowed  as  the  noble  offspring  of 
his  generous  liberality  in  his  serene  old  age.  One  is  in  the 
Eastern  hemisphere,  and  the  other  in  the  Western,  and  are 
three  thousand  miles  apart.  One  is  a  humble  farm-house, 
riot  more  than  ten  paces  in  length,  and  a  single  story  in 
height,  with  paD tiled  roof  and  whitewashed  walls,  all 
fashioned  after  the  model  of  the  common  dwelling  of  the 
English  husbandman  eighty  years  ago ;  the  other  is  a  palace 
of  brick  and  freestone,  five  hundred  feet  in  length,  whose 
model  was  the  Tuileries,  the  metropolitan  residence  of  the 
French  monarchs.  One  is  in  the  rich  maritime  and  agri 
cultural  County  of  Norfolk,  in  far  eastern  England,  on 
the  borders  of  the  North  Sea,  and  a  small  distance  from 
the  sweet  little  River  Ouse;  the  other  is  in  the  wealthy 
agricultural  County  of  Duchess,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
near  the  pleasant  City  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  not  far  from  the 
majestic  Hudson  River.  One  is  the  humble  birth-place 
and  the  other  the  stately  memorial  of  MATTHEW  VASSAR, 
the  founder  of  VASSAR  COLLEGE,  for  the  education  of  Young 
Women. 

In  the  farm-house  alluded  to,  and  delineated  on  the 
preceding  page,  then  occupied  by  his  parents  while  a 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 

family  mansion  was  a-building,  Matthew  Vassar  was  born, 
on  the  iH)th  of  April,  1792.  That  birth-place  is  in  a 
beautiful  section  of  Norfolk  County,  in  a  settlement  known  as 
East  Dereham,  parish  of  Tuddenham,  and  an  easy  day's 
journey  from  the  ancient  city  of  Norwich,  where  the  first  seed 


VASSAK  COLLEGE. 

of  England's  immense  manufacturing  interest  was  planted 
by  some  Flemings  in  the  time  of  Henry  the  First,  more 
than  seven  hundred  years  ago.  One  of  the  earliest  records 
on  Mr.  Vassar's  memory  is  the  impression  made  by  the 
sight  of  the  grand  old  cathedral  in  that  city,  built  almost 
eight  centuries  ago  by  the  followers  of  the  conquering 
William  of  Normandy.  Coeval  and  equally  ineffaceable 
records  were  made  by  his  three  escapes  from  violent  death 
before  lie  was  four  years  of  age — one  by  tumbling  over  the 
head  of  one  of  his  father's  horses  into  a  pebbly  pond, 
in  the  rear  of  the  cottage;  another  by  a  bull,  made  furious 
by  the  scarlet  mantle  worn  by  his  sister  while  she  was  lead 
ing  him  across  a  field ;  and  a  third  by  a  lunatic,  who  seized 
him  by  the  hair  and  beat  his  tiny  body  cruelly  with  a 
cudgel.  These  incidents,  and  the  impressions  made  by  the 
soft  voice  of  the  cuckoo  in  the  morning,  the  song  of  the 


12  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

nightingale  in  the  evening,  the  pale  light  of  the  glow-worm 
in  the  grass,  the  beauty  of  the  primrose  and  other  flowers, 
are  the  pictures  of  his  short  English  life  that  are  still  vivid 
in  his  memory. 

Mr.  Vassar' s  ancestors  were  from  France,  where  the 
name,  which  is  distinguished  in  French  history,  is  spelled 
Vasseur  or  Le  Vasseur.  Such  was  the  name  of  the  private 
secretary  of  Lafayette,  who  accompanied  him  to  this  country 
more  than  forty  years  ago.  The  great-grandfather  of  Mr. 
Vassar  crossed  the  channel  that  separates  France  and  Eng 
land  early  in  the  last  century,  and  settled  in  Norfolk,  where  he 
engaged  in  tillage,  and  in  wool  culture,  for  which  that  county 
lias  always  been  famous.  His  posterity  occupied  the  home 
stead,  and  followed  the  same  pursuit.  His  grandson  James 
married  Anne  Bennett,  the  excellent  daughter  of  a  nei«;h- 

o  o 

boring  farmer,  and  these  were  the  parents  of  him  whose 
history  we  are  tracing,  and  who  was  the  youngest  of  their 
four  children  who  were  born  in  England,  and  named  re 
spectively  Sophia,  Maria,  John  Guy,  and  Matthew. 

James  Vassar  and  his  wife  were  Dissenters  of  the  Baptist 
order,  and,  in  common  with  other  non-conformists,  felt  the 
oppressions  of  the  wedded  Church  and  State.  At  the  time 
of  their  younger  son's  birth,  the  French  Revolution  was 
upheaving  all  Europe  with  its  volcanic  fires,  and  shaking 
England,  politically  and  socially,  to  its  deepest  foundations. 
It  vivified  in  the  hearts  of  the  Dissenters  the  spirit  of  Liberty, 
such  as  Milton  and  Sidney  had  cherished,  and  a  cry  for 
justice  was  heard  throughout  the  realm.  While  Burke, 
with  strange  inconsistency,  thundered  against  the  French 
Revolution  and  the  Reform  Associations  of  Great  Britain, 
making  his  former  political  friends  tremble  lest  he  should 
reveal  their  secrets,  and  denounce  their  designs,  Doc- 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  13 

tors  Price  and  Priestley,  Lords  Stanhope  and  Lauderdale, 
Home  Tooke,  Thelwall,  and  others,  gave  the  citadel  of 
Privilege  such  heavy  blows  with  the  weapons  of  Reason, 
stroii o1  in  Christian  ethics,  that  even  the  Throne  was  made 

o 

to  tremble.  Then  the  Church  and  State,  made  cruel  by 
fear,  resolved  to  stamp  into  the  earth  the  vigorous  plant  of 
Democracy,  that  threatened  to  overrun  their  domain.  With 
their  enormous  wealth  and  influence,  and  long  retinue  of 
retainers,  they  put  forth  their  strength  in  the  form  of  Law, 
and  violated  justice  by  prosecutions  for  political  designs 
rather  than  for  political  offenses,  and  in  transporting  men 
to  a  penal  colony  for  seven  and  fourteen  years,  whose  crimes 
consisted  chiefly  in  having  read  Paine's  Iliyltte  of  Man  and 
expressed  partial  approbation  of  its  doctrines  ! 

The  Crown  and  the  Mitre  were  too  strong  for  the  Tribune 
and  the  Conventicle,  and  their  threatenings,  as  in  the  days 
of  the  First  Charles,  drove  many  of  the  best  subjects  of  the 
Empire  across  the  Atlantic,  in  search  of  that  civil  and  reli 
gious  liberty  which  their  unnatural  Mother  denied  them. 
On  the  tombs  of  many  of  those  emigrants  might  have  been 
justly  written  words  similar  to  those  sent  over  by  William 
Roscoe,  the  English  poet,  to  be  inscribed  on  the  white 
marble  slab  that  now  stands  at  the  grave  of  his  friend  John 
Taylor  (one  of  the  emigrants),  in  Christ  Church  Cemetery 
in  Poughkeepsie.  Roscoe  wrote— 

*'  Far  from  his  country  and  his  native  skies. 
Here,  mouldering  in  the  dust,  poor  TAYLOR  lies. 
Firm  was  his  mind,  and  fraught  with    various  lore; 
And   his  warm  heart  was  never  cold  before. 
He  loved  his  country — loved  that  spot  of  earth 
Which  gave  a  MILTOX,   HAMPDEX,   BRADSHAW  birth  ; 
But  when  that  country,  dead  to  all  but  gain, 
Bowed  its  base  neck  and  hugged  th1  Oppressor's  chain, 
Loathing  the  abject    scene,   he   drooped,    he  sighed, 


14  VASSAB    COLLEGE 

Crossed  the  wild  wave,  and  liere  untimely  died. 
Stranger,   whatever  thy  country's  Creed,  or  Hue, 
Go,  and  like  him  the  moral  path  pursue; 
Go,   and  for  Freedom  every  peril  hrave. 
And  nobly  scorn  to  be  or  hold  a  slave.'" 

It  was  in  that  exodus,  and  in  the  year  179<>,  that  James 
Vassar  and  his  wife  and  children,  with  his  bachelor  brother, 
Thomas,  came  to  the  United  States  in  search  of  liberty  of 
conscience.  They  were  the  first  of  their  name  on  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic.  With  many  sighs  they  left  their  birth-land 
they  loved  so  well.  An  Englishman's  loyalty  may  seldom 
be  justly  questioned,  for  Home  is  his  ideal  of  Heaven,  and 
his  heart  always  turns  lovingly  toward  his  native  land,  as 
the  blossom  of  the  heliotrope  turns  toward  the  sun. 

It  was  in  the  ship  Criterion,  Captain  Samuel  Avery,  that 
the  Vassar  family  left  the  port  of  London,  and,  after  a  bois 
terous  voyage,  arrived  in  the  harbor  of  New  York  on  a 
beautiful  day  in  October,  in  good  health  and  spirits.  A 
wave  that  broke  over  the  vessel  during  a  gale,  had  swept 
Matthew  from  the  cabin  gangway  across  the  deck,  and  he 
was  saved  from  the  sea  only  by  the  net-work  of  the  taifrail. 
But  the  perils  of  the  Atlantic  were  passed  in  safety  by  the 
whole  family,  and  they  found  comfortable  quarters  in  New 
York  in  the  house  of  an  Englishman  named  Withington, 
the  owner  of  an  extensive  brewery  in  the  suburbs  of  the 

city. 

New  York  had  then  a  population  of  about  fifty  thousand 
souls.  The  people  were  agitated  by  great  political  excite 
ment,  the  leaven  of  French  democracy  being  the  chief  cause. 
It  was  on  the  eve  of  a  Presidential  Election.  Washington's 
second  administration  was  drawing  to  a  close.  His  Farewell 
Address  to  his  countrymen,  warning  them  against  the  dangers 
of  foreign  influence,  had  just  been  scattered  broadcast  through 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  15 

the  public  press.  The  nation  was  called  upon  to  choose  a 
new  Executive  head.  Adams  and  Jefferson  were  the  oppo 
sing  aspirants  for  that  lofty  position.  The  ardent  friends  of 
Jefferson  were  seen  in  the  streets  with  the  flaunting  tri- 
colored  cockade  of  the  French  Revolution  on  their  hats,  while 
those  of  Adams  wore  the  modest  black  cockade  of  the  American 
Revolution.  The  fierce  struggle  of  the  Federal  and  Demo 
cratic  parties  for  supremacy  was  at  its  height ;  and,  to  the 
apprehension  of  the  newly  arrived  Englishmen,  a  terrible 
revolution  was  at  hand.  They  heard  the  Government  openly 
denounced  and  menaced,  yet  its  strong  arm  was  still,  and  it 
seemed  powerless  to  save  itself.  And  their  hearts  were 
troubled  when  they  heard  ribald  voices  chanting  the  National 
air  of  England  burdened  with  these  terrible  words  :— 

•;  God  save  the   Guillotine  ! 
Till  England's  King   and   Queen 

Its  power  shall  prove ; 
Till  each  anointed  knob 
Affords  a  clipping  joh. 
Let  no  rude  halter  rob 

The  Guillotine  !" 

But  that  election  left  society  quiet  and  the  government 
secure  at  its  close ;  and  satisfied  the  immigrants  that  they 
were  in  a  land  of  liberty  indeed;  that  freedom  of  thought, 
and  speech,  and  action,  was  not  only  their  privilege  but  their 
right;  and  that  there  was  absolute  safety  where  Conscience 
was  untrammeled,  and  Reason  was  left  free  to  combat  Error. 
With  this  conviction,  they  sought  a  permanent  home  in  the 
proposed  land  of  their  adoption. 

At  that  time  the  fertile  Mohawk  Valley,  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  was  a  point  of  great  attraction  to  agriculturists, 
and  it  was  rapidly  filling  up  with  settlers.  General  Schuyler, 
Elkanah  Watson,  Christopher  Colles,  and  other  far-seeing 


1G  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

meu,  Lad  projected  a  canal  that  should  traverse  that  Valley, 
and  connect  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie  with  those  of7  the  Hudson 
River.  That  project,  if  carried  out,  promised  great  advantages 
to  the  settlers.  Thither  the  Vassal-  brothers  went,  on  a  tour 
of  observation,  at  the  beginning  of  December;  and  traveled 
as  far  westward  as  Utica,  the  site  of  old  Fort  Schuyler,  then  a 
flourishing  village  of  about  one  thousand  souls.  They  had 
frequently  diverged  from  the  Mohawk  Valley  turnpike,  the 
main  line  of  travel,  to  examine  the  country.  Much  of  it  was 
just  emerging  from  the  wilderness  state,  and  presented  a 
positive  contrast  to  the  beauty,  order,  and  cultivation  of  their 
beloved  England.  It  was  covered  with  snow,  and  was  most 
dreary  in  every  aspect ;  and  the  brothers  returned  to  New 
York  late  in  January,  so  dissatisfied  that  they  felt  inclined  to 
go  back  to  their  native  land.  That  inclination  was  almost  a 
fixed  purpose,  when  the  fertility  and  pleasant  features  of 
Duchess  County,  in  the  same  State,  were  brought  to  their 
notice  by  one  or  two  English  families  who  were  about  to  settle 
there,  and  early  in  the  Spring  of  1797  the  brothers  went  with 
them  to  Poughkeepsie,  then  an  unincorporated  village  of  a 
few  hundred  souls. 

This  was  more  than  ten  years  before  Fulton  achieved  his 
triumph  in  navigation,  in  the  crude  steamer  Olermont,  and  the 
Vassar  brothers  made  the  voyage  in  a  packet  sloop,  then  the 
only  mode  of  travel  on  the  river.  They  explored  the  country 
about  Poughkeepsie,  and  finally  purchased  a  form,  containing 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  in  the  rich  and  beautiful 
valley  of  the  Wappengi's  Creek,  about  three  miles  eastward  of 
the  village,  on  the  verge  of  which  a  cotton-factory  (now  a 
paper-mill),  and  hamlet  of  workmen,  named  Manchester,  were 
afterwards  built  by  the  late  Samuel  Slee,  who  was  also  an 
Englishman. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  17 

Soon  after  their  purchase,  James  took  his  family  to  Pough- 
keepsie,  and  while  he  was  preparing  a  dwelling  on  the  farm, 
they  occupied  a  brick  house  about  a  mile  east  of  the  village, 
on  the  Filkintown  road,  at  what  is  now  the  junction  of  Main 
and  Church  Streets.  That  was  Matthew  Vassar's  first  place 
of  residence  in  Poughkeepsie.  It  fell  into  ruins  a  few  years 


MB.  VASSA-K'S  FIUST  RESIDENCE  ix  POUGHKEEPSIE. 

ago,  and  when  in  that  state  it  was  painted  for  Mr.  Vas- 
sar  1  >y  F.  llondel,  from  whose  picture  the  annexed  sketch  is 
made. 

At  the  close  of  the  summer  the  farm-house  was  finished, 
and  the  whole  family  were  in  it,  happy  in  finding  rest  after  a 
year  of  wandering.  That  broad  valley  reminded  them  of  the 
fields  they  had  left  in  Norfolk.  The  stream  that  washed  its 
borders  seemed  like  the  little  rivers  of  their  native  land;  and 
when,  in  the  Autumn,  the  fertile  soil  gave  back  to  them  a 
bountiful  return  for  labor,  they  were  contented. 

The  creek  that  bears  the  name  of  the  AYappengi  tribe 
of  Mohegan  Indians,  who  dwelt  at  its  falls  near  the  Hudson 
two  hundred  years  ago,  and  traverses  Duchess  County  from 

3 


18 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


northeast  to  southwest,  about  forty  miles,  is  everywhere  a 
picturesque  stream ;  but  at  no  point  was  it  more  lovely  than 
along  the  plain  of  Manchester,  at  the  time  we  are  considering, 
when  stately  sycamores  with  their  huge  and  ghostly  stems 
stood  by  its  margin,  their  majesty  disputing  for  the  prize  of 
admiration  with  the  beauty  of  the  elms  that  spread  high  in 
air  their  graceful  tops,  while  the  modest  willow  hung  lovingly 

More   modest  still,  the   dog- 


over 


the 


nourishing  waters. 


m 


THE  WAPPEXGI'S  CHEEK. 


wood,  with  its  white  blossoms  in  early  Spring ;  the  alder  with 
its  dull  purple  catkins,  and  the  witch-hazel  and  the  elder,  made 
up  the  more  humble  curtains  of  stem  and  leaf  that  everywhere 
half  concealed  the  stream.  But  to  the  eyes  of  the  English 
settlers  nothing  was  more  pleasing  than  a  score  of  saplings 
along  the  borders  of  their  farm,  draped  with  the  spiral  vines 
of  the  wild  hop  (liumulus  lupulus),  from  whose  clustering 
blossoms  they  might  distill  the  lupuline  for  home-brewed  ale, 
without  which  an  English  family  would  experience  a  real  pri 
vation.  But  barley  for  the  malt  was  lacking.  It  was  not  long 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  19 

a  want ;  for  when  the  farm-work  was  over  in  the  Autumn, 
Thomas  went  to  England  for  a  supply  of  that  grain  and  other 
cereals,  and  of  good  sheep.  He  brought  back  with  him  some 
fine  seed  rath,  the  most  profitable  kind  of  barley  for  brewing; 
and  in  the  Summer  of  1798,  the  first  field  of  that  grain  ever 
seen  in  Duchess  County  ripened  and  yielded  bountifully  on 
the  Vassar  farm,  in  the  valley  of  the  Wappengi.  There  it 
was  that  the  mournful  drama  of  John  Barley-corn  and  the 
three  kings,  so  sadly  told  by  young  Burns,  was  first  performed 
within  the  bounds  of  the  ancient  shire,  when 


They  laid  him   down  upon  his  back 
And  cudgeled   him  full  sore  ; 

They  hung  him  up  before  the  storm, 
And  turned  him  o'er  and  o'er. 

They  filled   up  a  darksome  pit 

With   water  to  the  brim ; 
They  heaved  in  John  Barley-corn — 

There  let  him  sink  or  swim. 

They  laid  him   out   upon  the   floor 

To  work  him  farther  woe  ; 
And  still,   as  signs  of  life  appeared, 

They  tossed  him  to  and  fro. 

They  wasted  o'er  a  scorching  flame 

The  marrow   of  his  bones ; 
But  a  miller  used  him  worst  of  all, 

For  he  crushed  him  'tween  two  stones. 


But  the  woe  of  John  wrought  joy  in  the  family  of  James, 
for  when  apples  were  ripening  in  September,  there  was  home 
brewed  ale  in  his  house.  The  fame  of  it  was  soon  spread 
abroad  among  the  thirsty  neighbors.  The  thrifty  family 
made  it  for  sale ;  and  it  was  not  long  before  little  Matthew 
and  his  mother  might  occasionally  be  seen  on  the  road  to 
Poughkeepsie,  in  the  farm  wagon,  with  a  barrel  of  home-brewed 


20  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

ale,  the  freshest  eggs,  and  the  yellowest  butter,  for  all  of 
which  an  ever-ready  market  was  found. 

So  general  became  the  demand  for  Vassar' s  ale,  that  in  the 
year  1801  the  brothers  sold  their  farm,  and  James  began  the 
business  of  brewing  in  Poughkeepsie,  which  wras  incorporated 
a  village  that  year.  He  purchased  a  lot  of  land  of  the  heirs 
of  Baltus  Van  Kleeck,  lying  between  the  Upper  Landing 
road  (now  Mill  Street)  and  the  new  road  then  just  opened 
to  the  river,  in  continuation  of  what  is  now  Main  Street,  west 
from  Washington  Street.  On  that  lot  he  built  a  brewery, 
and  in  a  part  of  it  his  family  dwelt  while  he  was  erecting  the 
house  in  which  the  founder  of  Vassar  College  now  resides. 

Adjoining  the  Vassar  lot  on  the  Upper  Landing  road, 
and  a  few  rods  east  of  the  present  Vassar  Street,  stood  the 
venerable  homestead  of  the  Van  Kleeck  family.  It  was 
built  of  rough  stone,  in  the  year  1702,  by  Baltus  Van  Kleeck, 
one  of  the  earlier  of  the  immigrants  from  Holland  who 

o 

settled  in  Duchess  County  toward  the  close  of  the  seventeenth 
century.  It  was  the  first  substantial  house  built  on  the  site  of 
Poughkeepsie.  In  its  gables,  and  just  under  its  eaves,  the 
walls  were  pierced  with  loop-holes  for  musketry,  for  at  that 
time  the  Indians  were  numerous  in  the  county,  and  were 
feared  by  the  settlers.  Van  Kleeck's  house  was  a  sort  of 
citadel  for  the  hamlet  of  Poughkeepsie,  in  which  the  score  or 
two  of  its  inhabitants  misrht  take  refuse.  The  lintel  of  the 

o  o 

main  door  was  a  rough-hewn  stone 
from  the  fields,  on  which  were  cut  the 
date  of  erection,  and  the  initials  of 
the  name  of  the  owner,  in  duplicate. 
That  lintel  is  now  a  corner-stone, 
STONE  LINTEL.  close  to  the  pavement,  of  the  dwelling 

of  Matthew  Vassar,  Jr.,  who  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Van 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  -1 

Kleeck,  his  father,  John  Guy,  the  elder  brother  of  the 
Founder,  having  married  Margaret,  a  daughter  of  Bait  us 
Van  Kleeck,  and  a  great-granddaughter  of  the  first-named 
Baltus. 

That  old  mansion  was  well  filled  with  good  furniture 
brought  from  Holland,  some  of  which  is  in  the  possession 
of  M.  Vassar,  Jr.  An  immense  round  table  of  mahogany, 
a  high-backed  sofa  and  chairs,  are  among  the  remnants 
of  it,  and  afford  good  specimens  of  the 
equipment — huys-raedt — of  a  Holland- 
sche  family  of  the  better  sort,  for  house 
keeping.  But  more  precious  things  than 
the  most  costly  furniture  were  seen  in 
that  old  mansion.  These  were  Patriots  SoFA- 

—men  such  as  Sir  William  Jones  made  Alcaeus  of  Mitylene 
declare  were  the  constituents  of  a  State  . 

"  Men,   who  their  duties  know, 
But  know  their  rights,   and  knowing  dare  maintain; 

Prevent  the  long-aimed  blow, 
And  crush  the  tyrant  while  they  rend  the  chain.11 

That  house,  then  a  public  inn,  was  a  place  of  resort  for 
the  Patriots  of  the  neighborhood  for  many  miles  around, 
during  the  whole  period  of  the  old  War  for  Independence. 
There  they  met  for  consultation  after  the  Boston  Port  Bill 
had  blasted  all  hope  of  reconciliation  between  the  colonists 
and  the  British  Ministry  on  a  basis  of  justice.  There  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  for  Duchess  County,  with  Egbert 
Benson  at  its  head,  held  meetings.  There,  in  June  and  July, 
1775,  the  Whigs  of  "  Poughkeepsie  Precinct"  signed  a  pledge, 
"  under  all  the  ties  of  religion,  honor,  and  love  of  country," 
to  sustain  whatever  measures  the  Continental  Congress  and 
the  Provincial  Convention  of  New  York  should  resolve  upon 


VASSAK    COLLEGE 


for  preserving  the  liberties  of  the  people.  There  tlie  Legis 
lature  of  the  State  of  New  York  assembled,  early  in  1778 
(the  Court-house  being  in  ruins),  after  having  fled  from 
Kingston  on  the  approach  of  the  British  incendiaries  under 


TUB  VAN   KLEECK  HOUSE. 

General  Vaughan,  who  burned  that  village  at  the  middle 
of  the  preceding  Autumn ;  and  there,  a  little  more  than  ten 
years  later,  Hamilton,  Jay,  Hobart,  Duane,  Yates,  Clinton, 
Livingston,  Bancker,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  other  distinguished 
men,  may  have  found  lodgings  (it  being  the  only  inn  in 
the  village),  while  sojourning  more  than  a  month  in  Pough- 
keepsie,  in  the  Summer  of  1788,  as  members  of  the  State 
Convention  that  sat  in  the  new  Court-house  to  consider  the 
ratification  of  the  National  Constitution. 

That  old  "  Van  Kleeck  House "  was  thus  made  famous 
by  the  presence  of  famous  men.  It  was  strong  enough  to 
resist  the  busy  fingers  of  decay  for  centuries ;  but,  like  many 
another  building  in  our  changeful  land,  hallowed  by  events 
that  touch  the  sympathies  of  our  higher  nature,  it  was  com 
pelled  to  give  place  to  more  modern  structures.  It  came  into 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  23 

the  possession  of  the  Vassal*  family  "by  inheritance,  and  so  it 
remained  until  1835,  when  it  was  pulled  down,  hut  not  until 
its  features  had  been  preserved  by  the  pencil  of  the  writer  of 
this  Memoir. 

James  Vassar  was  successful  as  a  brewer,  and  he  contem 
plated  making  his  two  sons  his  assistants.  John  Guy  was 
between  two  and  three  years  the  senior  of  Matthew,  and  was 
useful  to  his  father  from  the  beginning.  But,  when  his 
younger  brother  was  old  enough  to  take  a  part  in  the  busi 
ness,  the  latter  evinced  so  great  an  aversion  to  it,  that  his 
father  made  an  arrangement  to  apprentice  him  for  seven  years 
to  a  tanner  in  Poughkeepsie.  This  was  a  business  still  more 
distasteful  to  the  boy  than  brewing.  He  vehemently  pro 
tested,  but  in  vain.  Articles  of  indenture  were  drawn  ;  and 
on  a  specified  morning  he  was  to  enter  the  service  of  a  legal 
master.  When  that  time  arrived,  the  lad  was  not  to  be  found. 
He  had  appealed  to  his  mother,  and  excited  her  active  sympa 
thy  in  his  distress.  He  had  begged  to  be  allowed  to  go  out  into 
the  world  to  "  seek  his  fortune,"  as  the  phrase  is,  alone,  and  she 
resolved  that  he  should  do  so.  With  a  change  of  East  India 
muslin  shirts  and  a  pair  of  stockings  tied  up  in  a  cotton  ban 
danna  handkerchief  (which,  with  a  homespun  suit,  woolen 
stockings,  stout  shoes,  and  a  cap,  in  which  he  was  clad,  composed 
his  entire  wardrobe),  he  left  his  home  on  a  pleasant  morning 
in  the  Spring  of  1806,  accompanied  by  his  mother.  They 
walked  to  the  New  Hamburg  ferry,  eight  miles  below  Pough 
keepsie,  and  there  they  parted.  After  giving  him  her  bles 
sing,  and  a  cash  capital  of  seventy-five  cents,  the  mother 
lingered  in  tears  on  the  bank  of  the  stream,  until  she  saw  her 
child  in  safety  on  the  opposite  shore,  and  a  river  half  a  mile 
wide  between  the  tanner  and  the  boy. 

Young    Vassar   was    now   fairly    out    upon    a    business 


24  VASSAL    COLLEGE 

journey  on  his  own  account.  lie  walked  on  toward  New- 
burgh  in  search  of  employment,  when,  toward  evening,  his 
weariness  emboldened  him  to  ask  a  farmer,  who  was  passing 
by  in  his  wagon,  to  allow  him  to  ride.  The  man  was 
somewhat  rough  in  speech,  and  accused  him  of  being  a  run 
away.  The  lad  gave  him  his  name  and  a  truthful  account  of 
what  had  happened,  wrhen  the  farmer,  who  was  a  kind- 
hearted  Englishman  named  Butterworth,  told  the  boy  that 
he  knew  his  father,  and  then  invited  the  wanderer  to  lodge 
at  his  house  that  night.  It  was  near  a  little  settlement  two 
miles  north  of  Newburgh,  called  Balm  Town,  where  Butter- 
worth's  son  had  a  country  store. 

On  the  following  morning,  young  Vassar  made  a  bargain 
with  the  merchant  to  perform  the  drudgery  in  his  store. 
His  diligence,  integrity,  and  intelligence  soon  caused  his 
promotion.  On  the  basis  of  a  very  limited  education,  he 
there  laid  the  foundations  of  a  business  ability  excelled  in 
efficiency  by  few  men.  He  remained  with  Butterworth 
about  three  years,  and  then  entered  the  store  of  Daniel 
Smith,  another  merchant,  as  first  clerk,  at  the  then  consider 
able  salary  of  three  hundred  dollars  annually.  There  he 
served  faithfully  about  twelve  months,  when  he  returned 
home,  after  an  absence  of  four  years,  with  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  saved  from  his  earnings  in  "foreign  service,"  as 
he  termed  it.  Then  he  entered  his  father's  flourishing 
establishment  as  book-keeper  and  collector. 

A  year  later  the  elder  Vassar  was  smitten  by  heavy 
misfortunes.  On  the  10th  of  May,  1811,  while  he  was  going 
up  the  Hudson  on  a  sloop,  he  saw  flames  and  a  heavy  smoke 
at  Poughkeepsie  that  told  of  a  conflagration.  He  felt  a 
presentiment  that  it  was  his  own  property  ;  and  it  was.  His 
brewery,  on  which  he  had  no  insurance,  was  in  flames,  and 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


25 


it  was  utterly  consumed.  That  "misfortunes  seldom  come 
single,"  is  a  popular  saying  and  belief.  It  was  verified  in 
Mr.  Vassar's  experience.  Two  days  after  his  property  was 
destroyed,  his  son  John  Guy,  then  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
lost  his  life  by  descending  into  a  recently  emptied  beer-vat 
amidst  the  ruins,  in  which  were  some  hops  that  might  be 
saved.  It  was  charged  with  carbonic  acid  gas,  and  he  was 


ANNE  VASSAR. 


JAMES  VASSAR. 


suffocated.  Other  losses  of  property  followed ;  and  when 
they  were  past  fifty  years  of  age,  James  Vassar  and  his  wife 
found  themselves  with  a  large  family  of  children,  reduced  to 
comparative  poverty.  Business  efforts  failed ;  and  the  future 
appeared  gloomy  and  utterly  unpromising  to  the  almost 
disheartened  man.  Finally,  he  leased  and  closely  tilled  four 
teen  acres  of  land  on  the  New  York  and  Albany  post-road,  a 
little  north  of  the  Fall  Kil,  in  the  suburbs  of  Poughkeepsie ; 
and  there,  in  a  quaint  old  house,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
residence  of  Stephen  M.  Buckingham,  he  and  his  wife 
passed  a  greater  part  of  the  evening  of  their  lives  in 
comfort  and  serenity.  Mrs.  Vassar  died  in  March,  1837, 
and  her  husband  survived  her  only  three  years. 
4 


VASSATC    COLLEGE 


James  Vassar's  brother  Thomas,  who  came  with  him  to 
America,  and  was  his  partner  in  the  farm  on  the  Wappengi's 
Creek,  established  himself  in  the  business  of  brick-making, 

o" 

two  miles  east  of  Poughkeepsie,  soon  after  he  left  the 
valley  of  the  Wappengi,  and  continued  it  until  within  a 
few  years  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  October,  1849, 
when  he  was  almost  ninety-three  years  of  age.  His  wife, 
Joanna  Ellison,  who  was  twenty  years  his  junior,  lived 

three  years  longer.  The  re 
mains  of  these  worthy  people 
—the  ancestors  of  the  Vas- 
sar  family  in  this  country— 
who  left  their  birthland  for 
the  sake  of  liberty  of  con 
science,  were  all  laid  in  the 
Baptist  Cemetery  near  the 
banks  of  the  Fall  Kil,  or 
the  Winnakee,  as  the  Indians 
more  sweetly  named  it.  This 
is  a  small  stream  that  flows 
through  Poughkeepsie,  and  falls  in  a  series  of  cascades  into 
what  was  once  a  sheltered  cove  of  the  Hudson,  which  the 
aborigines  called  Apokeepsing,  or  Safe  Harbor,  from  which 
the  beautiful  rural  city  on  its  borders  derives  its  name. 

The  misfortunes  of  his  family  made  Matthew  Vassar 
more  thoughtful  and  diligent  than  ever.  He  considered  how 
he  should  employ  his  limited  experience  in  brewing  so  as  to 
make  it  profitable  to  himself  and  a  comfort  to  his  parents. 
Small  means  were  at  hand,  and  he  used  them  with  success. 
In  a  dye-house  belonging  to  George  Booth,  the  husband 
of  his  sister  Maria,  who  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  woolen  cloth  in  Poughkeepsie,  he  began  the  business  of 


THOMAS  VASSAK. 


AXD    ITS    FOUNDER.  27 

ale-making   on   a   scale   almost   as  humble  as  did    "  Willie/' 
who  only 

—  "brewed  a  peck  o'  nmut." 

With  a  few  kettles  and  tubes  he  made  ale  at  the  rate  of 
three  barrels  at  a  time,  which  he  sold  to  the  citizens  in  small 


THE  CounT-HousE. 

quantities,  and  delivered  it  with  his  own  hands;  and  in  the 
Spring  of  1812  he  hired  a  basement  room  in  the  County 
Court-bouse,  which  was  u  an  elegant  and  substantial  edifice  of 
stone,"  erected  in  1809,  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Market 
Streets,  in  which  he  opened  a  shop  for  the  sale  of  Ale  and 
Oysters.  This  was  the  first  u  oyster  saloon r  established  in 
the  town.  All  day  lon£>;  Mr.  Vassal*  mi^ht  have  been  seen 

»/o  o 

brewing  at  the  dye-house,  or  going  about  the  village  with  his 
ale,  or  disposing  of  his  "  grains,"  as  the  barley  was  popularly 
called  after  it  had  served  the  purpose  of  brewing ;  while  his 
evenings,  until  midnight,  were  devoted  to  his  customers  in 
his  "  saloon." 


28  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

Mr.  Vassar  had  faith  in  the  assertion  of  the  Sacred  Pro- 
verlrialist,  that  he  who  is  "  diligent  in  his  business  shall  stand 
before  kings ;  he  shall  not  stand  before  mean  men ;"  and  he 
showed  his  faith  by  his  works.  Thrift  rewarded  his  laborious 
industry.  He  felt  a  laudable  desire  for  wealth, 

"Not  for  to  hide  it  in  a  hedge, 
Nor  for  a  train  attendant, 
But  for  the  glorious  privilege 
Of  being  independent." 

His  field  of  effort  was  daily  widening.  The  village  which 
was  to  be  his  life-long  home  was  growing  rapidly.  It  then 
had  a  population  of  about  three  thousand  souls,  and  contained 
almost  five  hundred  dwellings  and  buildings  for  business. 
Eight  sloops  were  continually  employed,  while  the  river  was 
free  of  ice,  in  freighting  from  its  four  wharves.  To  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  edifice,  on  the  East  Lane  or  Filkin- 
town  Road  (now  Main  Street),  that  stood  on  the  lot  No.  257, 
now  owned  by  Henry  Myers,  and  that  of  Christ  Church,  on 
Main  (now  Market)  Street,  when  the  village  was  incorporated, 
eleven  years  before,  three  other  church  edifices  had  been 
added.  An  Academy  had  recently  been  built  on  Cannon 
Street,  near  its  intersection  by  the  present  Academy  Street. 
Two  newspapers  (PougJikeepsie  Journal  and  Republican 
Herald)  were  well  sustained ;  and  the  book-store  of  Paraclete 
Potter  (now  Archibald  Wilson's)  was  a  favorite  place  of 
resort  of  the  educated  men  and  women  of  the  village  and  its 
vicinity,  and  of  the  leading  politicians  of  the  old  Federal 
school.  u  The  Hotel "  (now  Rutser's)  had  lately  been  built, 
and  was  described  as  u  elegant  and  spacious ;"  and  "  five 
serpentine  roads"  connected  the  village  on  the  high  plain  with 
the  river,  half  a  mile  distant. 

Such  was  Poughkeepsie  when,  in  the  year  1812,  Mr.  Vassal1 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 

commenced  in  it  that  business  in  which  he  was  engaged  for 
more  than  half  a  century,  and  earned  the  large  fortune,  one- 
half  of  which  he  dedicated  to  the  vitally  important  work 
of  thoroughly  educating  Woman. 

So  promising  of  success  was  Mr.  Vassar's  Ale  and  Oyster 
business,  that  he  ventured  to  set  up  a  domestic  establishment 
early  in  the  Spring  of  1813,  when  he  was  not  quite  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  On  the  Tth  of  March  he  and  Miss  Catha 
rine  Valentine  were  united  in  marriage ;  and  in  that  state 
they  lived  together  a  few  weeks  less  than  fifty  years.  He 
hired  part  of  a  dwelling  at  the  rate  of  forty  dollars  a  year, 
payable  in  advance,  which  his  prudent  father  thought  was  a 
very  extravagant  beginning;  and  the  whole  outfit  of  the 
young  couple  for  housekeeping  did  not  exceed,  in  cost,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Yet  it  was  a  genteel  display  of 
home  comforts,  for  the  time.  Neatness  and  industry  char 
acterized  his  chosen  helpmate,  and  their  humble  dwelling- 
place  had  an  air  of  elegance  which  more  spacious  mansions 
and  more  costly  furnishings  do  not  always  present.  With 
mutual  interests  they  worked  lovingly  together;  and,  with 
the  heritage  of  an  Englishman's  delight  in  domestic  com 
forts,  his  heart  was  often  full  of  that  sweet  content  shad 
owed  in  Benjamin's  words— 

"  O,  the  atmosphere  of  Home!    how  bright 
It  floats  around  us  when  we  sit  together 
Under  a  bower  of  vine  in  Summer  weather, 
Or  round  the  hearth-stone  on  a  winter's  night !" 

The  land  was  now  full  of  trouble.  There  was  war  be 
tween  the  country  of  Mr.  Vassar's  nativity  and  that  of  his 
adoption.  A  long-gathering  storm  was  in  full  career,  and  its 
disturbing  energies  were  felt  in  every  part  of  the  Republic. 
The  fife  and  drum  were  heard  in  every  hamlet ;  and  the  flag 


30  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

of  the  recruiting  sergeant  was  everywhere  flaunted  before 
the  eyes  of  the  abettors  of  "  Madison's  wicked  war"  and  the 
opposing  "  blue-light  and  black-cockade  Federalists,"  to  the 
infinite  delight  of  the  one,  and  the  insufferable  disgust  of  the 
other.  Everybody  was  a  politician  with  decided  views,  and 
everybody  indulged  in  decided  expressions  of  them.  There 
was  a  perpetual  war  of  opinion  in  families,  and  in  commu 
nities  ;  and  at  places  of  public  resort  battles  of  tongues 
often  waxed  hot,  and  sometimes  alarming  to  good  order  and 
propriety.  Mr.  Vassar's  saloon  was  one  of  these  arenas 
wrherein  the  wordy  gladiators  wrestled.  It  had  grown  from 
a  plain  "  oyster  cellar "  into  quite  a  respectable  "  club 
house  ;"  and  occupied  three  rooms  in  the  basement  of  the 
Court-house  and  one  on  the  floor  above.  There  judges  and 
jurors,  lawyers  and  clients,  dined  and  supped  during  the 
sessions  of  the  courts.  These  supper  parties  indulged  in 
intellectual  exchange  and  convivial  pleasures ;  and  during 
the  War  it  was  often  resonant  with  the  appropriate  songs 
of  the  day,  when  some  enthusiastic  vocalist,  inspired  by  the 
public  turmoil  or  the  blood  of  John  Barley-corn,  could  not 
keep  his  patriotism  silent.  So  it  was  that  after  the  village 
had  been  illuminated  because  of  Perry's  victory  on  Lake 
Erie,  the  ear  was  greeted  with  the  stirring  words — 

"Let  eacli  man  round  the  board  bid  his  children  remember, 

"With  a  generous  expansion  of  soul, 
The  glory  that  plays  round  the  Tenth  of  September, 

And  crown  the  return  with  a  bowl. 
Then  the  goblet  shall  foam,  blow  the  wind  high  or  low, 

And  the  heart  be  it  mournful  or  merry; 
And  the  purest  of  wine  to  the  meniVy  shall  flow 

Of  the  virtues  and  valor  of  Perry." 

And  when,  a  year  later,  the  victory  of  Macomb  and  Mac- 
douough  over  the  forces  of  Governor  Prevost  of  Canada,  at 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  31 

Plattshurg,  made  the  inhabitants  of  menaced  New  York 
grateful  for  deliverance,  Michael  Hawkins'  imitation  of 
Negro  minstrelsy — the  first  on  record — descriptive  of  the 
event,  and  sung  to  the  air  of  "  Boyne  Water,"  provoked  un 
bounded  merriment.  To  those  familiar  with  the  boastful 
spirit  of  Prevost  on  his  invading  march,  and  the  ridiculous 
spectacle  exhibited  by  his  hasty  retreat,  especially  funny 
seemed  the  concluding  verse : 

o 

"Prevost  scare  so,  he  lef  all  behine, 

Powder,  ball,  cannon,  tea-pot,  and  kittle ; 

Some  say  he  cotch  a  cold — trouble  in  he  mine, 

'Cause  he  eat  so  much  raw  and  cole  vittle. 

Uncle  Sam  berry  sorry 

To  be  sure  for  he  pain ; 
Wish  he  miss  lieself  up  well  an'  hearty, 

For  General  Macomb 

An'  Massn,  'Donough  home 
When  he  notion  for  an  udder  tea-party." 

Mr.  Vassar  came  near  being  a  soldier  in  arms.  He  had 
joined  a  volunteer  company  of  Fusileers  in  time  of  peace, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  late  Major-General 
John  Brush  at  the  period  we  are  considering.  At  the 
time  of  the  British  invasion  from  Canada,  which  ended  at 
Plattsburg,  a  land  and  naval  force  was  menacing  the  city 
of  New  York,  the  project  of  the  British  ministry  in  1777, 
for  separating  New  England  from  the  other  States  by 
seizing  and  holding  the  line  of  the  Hudson  River,  having 

O  o  O 

been  revived.  There  was  wide-spread  alarm.  Governor 
Tompkins  ordered  the  militia  and  drafted  men  of  the 
State,  who  had  not  yet  taken  the  field,  to  hasten  to  the 
menaced  metropolis,  where  citizens  of  every  calling— 

"Plumbers,  founders,  dyers;    tinners,  turners,   shavers; 
Sweepers,  clerks,  and  criers;    jewelers,  engravers; 
Clothiers,  drapers,  players;    cartmen,  hatters,  tailors: 
Gangers,  sealers,  weighers;    carpenters  and  sailors," 


O  *2  VASSAE    COLLEGE 

were  engaged  night  and  day  in  casting  up  intrerichments  on 
the  heights  of  Brooklyn  and  Harlem,  many  of  them  singing 
the  stirring  words  of  Woodworth,  inspired  by  the  scene— 

"Johnny  Bull,  he  ware!  keep  at  proper  distance, 
Else  we'll  make  you  stare  at  our  firm  resistance. 
Let  alone  the  lads  who  are  freedom  tasting  ; 
Recollect,  our  dads  gave  you  once  a  hasting. 

Pickaxe,  shovel,  spade,  crowbar,  hoe,  and  barrow  ; 

Better  not  invade;   Yankees  have  the  marrow." 

The  militia  and  levies  of  Duchess  were  summoned  away, 
but  Mr.  Vassar,  claiming  the  right  to  withhold  services  when 
privileges  are  denied,  did  not  go.  At  a  previous  election  he 
had  been  challenged  when  he  offered  his  vote,  and  its  recep 
tion  had  been  denied  on  the  plea  that  he  was  a  native  of 
England,  and  therefore  an  alien.  Believing  the  same  plea  to 

o  O  1 

be  valid  in  his  own  favor  when  called  upon  to  do  military 
duty,  he  successfully  interposed  it ;  and  he  was  spared  the 


BREWERY  ON  VASSAR  STREET. 


fatigue  and  losses  of  an  inglorious  campaign  at  Harlem,  and 
the  time  so  important  to  him  in  his  business,  for  he  wTas  then 
engaged  in  the  erection  of  the  extensive  brewery,  the  main 
building  of  which  is  yet  standing  on  Vassar  Street.  Yet  he  did 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  33 

not  withhold  all  service,  for,  with  hundreds  of  other  citizens 
of  Poughkeepsie  and  vicinity,  he  went  to  the  neighboring 
woods  and  swamps  to  collect  materials  for  fascines,  which 
were  sent  down  the  river  in  sloop-loads,  to  be  used  for  gabi 
ons  and  other  basket-work  in  the  erection  of  fortifications  at 
Brooklyn  and  Harlem. 

Mr.  Vassar  bad  now  struggled  on  in  business  about  two 
years,  alone,  unaided  by  influential  or  wealthy  friends,  and 
relying  solely  upon  his  own  resources,  under  Providence,  for 
final  success.  It  had  often  been  a  most  severe  struggle,  in 
which  he  was  several  times  nearly  vanquished.  Ambitious 
of  excelling  in  whatever  he  undertook,  he  spared  no  pains 
or  expense  in  the  manufacture  of  his  ale,  but  for  want  of 
capital  to  enlarge  his  facilities,  it  was  made  in  quantity 
too  limited  to  give  him  much  profit.  Capital  was  his  great 
need,  and  in  due  time  it  came  to  help  him. 

In  the  Spring  of  1814,  Thomas  Purser,  an  Englishman  of 
considerable  fortune,  and  also  of  some  experience  in  brewing, 
who  had  quaffed  many  a  mug  of  ale  at  Vassar's  rooms  with 
great  satisfaction,  offered  himself  as  a  partner,  and  also  the 
requisite  capital  for  carrying  on  the  business  on  an  extensive 
scale.  The  offer  was  accepted.  The  partnership  was  formed 
with  the  name  of  M.  Vassar  &  Co.,  and  the  brewing  and 
malting  buildings,  which  extended  from  Vassar  to  Bridge 
Streets,  were  erected  during  the  ensuing  Summer.  The  busi 
ness  at  the  club-rooms  in  the  Court-house  was  abandoned  by 
its  founder,  and  his  whole  time  and  attention  were  given  to 
the  manufacture  of  ale.  That  vocation  was  successful ;  but, 
owing  to  the  failing  health  of  Mr.  Purser,  the  partnership 
lasted  only  about  two  years,  when  he  withdrew. 

Mr.  Purser's  place  was  supplied  by  Nathan  and  Mulford 
Conklin,  then  carrying  on  an  extensive  mercantile  business 


34  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

in  Poughkeepsie,  and  they  remained  in  partnership  with 
Mr.  Vassar  until  18*29,  when  he  purchased  their  interest. 
During  that  period,  and  a  little  beyond,  Mr.  Vassar  expe 
rienced  many  vicissitudes  in  business,  and,  on  two  or  three 
occasions,  losses  by  fire  and  flood  brought  him  to  the  verge 
of  bankruptcy.  But  perseverance  was  one  of  the  cardinal 
virtues  of  his  character,  and  he  always  kept  it  vigorous 
by  judicious  use.  With  it  he  overcame  all  obstacles;  and 
at  length,  when  he  had  been  engaged  in  brewing  for  about 
twenty  years,  a  tide  of  uninterrupted  prosperity  bore  him 
on  to  the  possession  of  a  large  fortune.  His  business 
became  too  large  to  allow  him  to  manage  it  well  alone, 
and  in  1832  he  took  in  his  nephews,  Matthew  Vassar,  Jr., 
and  John  Guy  Vassar,  sons  of  his  deceased  brother  John 
Guy.  They  were  energetic,  industrious,  and  faithful  young 
men,  and  materially  assisted  their  uncle  in  the  enlarge 
ment  of  the  business  and  profits  of  the  establishment. 

The  brewery  on  Vassar  Street  soon  became  too  limited  in 
capacity  for  the  increasing  operations  of  the  firm,  and  in  1836 
a  more  extensive  establishment,  built  of  brick,  was  erected 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  just  above  the  Main  Street  Landing, 
where  the.  manufacture  of  ale  is  still  carried  on  under  the 
original  name  of  M.  Vassar  &  Co.  At  various  periods 
Mr.  Vassar  brought  into  the  business,  as  partners,  his  brother 
James,  James  V.  Harbottle,  Alfred  R.  Booth,  John  Guy 
Vassar,  2d,  Erastus  Reeve,  J.  L.  D.  Lyon.  and  Oliver  11. 
Booth.  In  May,  1866,  the  latter,  who  is  one  of  Mr.  Vassal'1  s 
nephews,  purchased  the  interest  of  his  uncle,  when  the  busi 
ness  connection  of  the  founder  of  the  establishment  ended. 

After  managing  his  affairs  diligently  for  more  than  thirty 
years,  and  becoming  the  possessor  of  a  large  fortune,  Mr. 
Vassar  determined  to  gratify  a  long-cherished  desire  by 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


visiting  Great  Britain  and  the  continent  of  Europe.  He 
wished  to  engage  less  closely  in  business  thereafter,  and  he 
resolved  to  make  that  the  occasion  for  casting  the  burdens 
of  its  cares  upon  the  younger  men,  his  kinsmen,  who  were 


BliEWEKY    ON    THE    KlVEK. 

his  partners.  He  accordingly  made  arrangements  for  him 
self  and  wife  to  go  abroad  and  be  absent  from  the  country 
about  three  years.  They  were  childless ;  and  nothing  in  their 
domestic  arrangements  made  it  necessary  for  them  to  hasten 
back. 

The  classic  prescription  for  the  number  of  a  dinner-party 
was,  Not  less  than  the  Graces,  nor  more  than  the  Muses. 
The  minimum  is  the  best  number  for  a  traveling  party  in 
civilized  lands,  and  to  that  Mr.  Vassar  made  his  owTn  conform 
by  inviting  Cyrus  Swan  to  become  the  traveling  companion 
of  himself  and  wife.  Mr.  Swan  was  a  young  man  of  taste 
and  observation,  well  informed  and  cultivated,  genial  and 

"      O 

sympathetic.  He  had  lately  completed  his  preparatory 
studies  for  entering  upon  the  practice  of  the  Law7  as  a 


36  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

vocation.  In  that  profession,  and  while  he  was  yet  a  student, 
he  had  rendered  services  which  won  for  him  the  cordial 
esteem  and  confidence  of  Mr.  Vassar ;  and  the  friendship 
then  formed  lias  remained  unbroken. 

Mr.  Swan  gladly  accepted  Mr.  Vassar's  generous  invitation, 
and  at  the  close  of  April,  1845,  the  little  traveling  party 
sailed  from  New  York  in  the  packet-ship  Northumberland^ 
Captain  Griswold,  bound  for  England.  She  had  less  than 
twenty  passengers,  among  whom  were  the  late  Judge 
William  Kent  and  his  wife.  The  ship  was  stanch  and 
well  appointed,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  of  the  sailing 
packets  of  that  time.  The  day  was  bright  and  serene  when 
they  passed  the  Narrows,  whose  shores  are  guarded  by  great 
guns  within  strong  walls,  and  went  out  upon  the  ocean. 
Every  thing  promised  delight  to  the  novices  in  marine  expe 
rience;  but,  before  the  sun  disappeared  behind  the  dim 
purple  outlines  of  the  Navisink  Hills,  the  never-ceasing 
motion  of  the  bosom  of  the  sea  made  them  doubters.  The 
inevitable  sea-sickness  followed ;  and  during  a  voyage  of 
twenty  days  they  had  the  usual  experience  of 

"  the  monotony 

Of  an  Atlantic  trip — 
Sometimes  you  ship  a  sea, 

And  sometimes  see  a  ship!" 

The  passengers  first  saw  land  again  one  bright  morning 
late  in  May,  when  The  Needles,  sculptured  by  the  waves  at 
the  westernmost  extremity  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  were  seen 
glittering  in  the  sun-light.  On  the  same  day  the  North 
umberland  was  anchored  in  the  fine  harbor  of  Portsmouth, 
under  the  guns  of  the  vast  fortifications  of  that  seaport. 
There  the  travelers  landed,  and  passed  a  few  days  in  visiting 
the  wonders  of  that  greatest  of  England's  naval  stations. 


AXD    ITS    FOUNDER.  37 

Among  these,  which  none  but  the  eyes  of  Englishmen  are 
supposed  to  be  permitted  to  see,  was  the  immense  Xaval 
Bakery.  To  this  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  party  gained  admission 
by  his  acting  in  strict  conformity  to  the  maxim  of  the  British 
Crown  concerning  its  subjects,  namely,  Once  an  Englishman 
always  an  Englishman.  In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of 
this  maxim,  British  cruisers  impressed  Anglo-American  sea 
men  into  the  Royal  naval  service;  and  chiefly  on  that  account 
the  two  nations  went  to  war,  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  and, 
after  gallant  fighting  on  both  sides  for  thirty  months,  Great 
Britain  still  adhered  to  the  maxim,  and  has  never  abandoned 
it.  So,  honestly  abiding  by  her  rule,  and  registering  his 
name, — "M.  Vassar,  East  Dereham,  Tuddeuham,  Norfolk 
County," — the  place  of  his  birth — the  Once  an  Englishman 
always  an  Englishman,  and  his  family,  peered  with  their 
American  eyes  into  all  the  secrets  of  England's  great  Naval 
Bakery. 

From  Portsmouth  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  companions  passed 
over  to  the  Isle  of  Wight — the  "  divorced  land"  of  the  ancient 
Britons — which  Cedric  the  Saxon  colonized  with  Jutes  and 
his  own  countrymen  almost  a  thousand  years  before  Columbus 
discovered  America.  Our  travelers  landed  at  Ryde.  It  was 
now  the  beginning  of  June,  and  that  island — the  loveliest 
of  England's  possessions — was  glorying  in  the  wealth  of  its 
verdure  and  blossoms.  There  every  sense  was  regaled  with 
the  realities  of  all  that  painter  and  poet  have  delineated  in 
pictures  of  English  rural  scenery  and  rural  life,  even  to  the 
gipsies,  who  in  a  popular  ditty  have  been  made  to  sing— 


"All  day  we  round  the  country  tramp; 
The  birds  bear  not  a  lighter  heart ; 
And  then  at  night  we  pitch   our  camp, 
Or  soundly  sleep  beneath  the  cart. 


P)8  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

What   care   we  for  the  night-dew   damp ! 

We  pay  no   rent  when  we  depart ; 
And  like  the  lark  we  early  rise — 
Our  clock's  a  Gipsy's  opening  eyes!" 

After  visiting  every  part  of  that  charming  island,  enjoying 
the  delights  of  its  present  beauties,  and  the  contemplation  of 
its  feudal  remains,  Mr.  Vassar  proposed  to  tarry  a  little  in 
Southampton  before  going  up  to  London.  They  had  been 
impressed  with  the  realities  of  the  past  in  visiting  Caris- 
brooke  Castle,  near  Newport,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been 
founded  before  the  Roman  invasion,  but  which  was  not 
completed  until  the  time  of  Elizabeth.  It  is  chiefly  famous 
as  the  place  of  confinement  of  Charles  the  First,  after  his 
removal  from  Hampton  Court;  and  the  attention  of  our 
travelers  was  directed  to  a  window,  out  of  which,  it  is 
said,  the  king  attempted  to  escape. 

Leaving  these  remains  of  a  darker  age  and  a  ruder 
civilization  behind  them,  with  a  desire  to  commune  more 
particularly  with  the  present,  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  com 
panions  crossed  over  to  Southampton,  one  of  the  most  bust 
ling  and  important  of  the  maritime  towns  of  England. 
There  they  passed  several  days  in  visiting  objects  of 
special  interest,  such  as  the  Free  Grammar  School  founded 
by  Edward  the  Sixth,  and  the  Hospital  established  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  the  Third.  They  also  visited  interesting 
places  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  among  which  were  the 
ruins  of  Calshot  Castle,  and  Netley  Abbey,  situated  on 
opposite  shores  of  the  beautiful  Southampton  Water. 

From  the  busy  city  on  the  seaboard  the  travelers  went  up 
to  London  by  railway,  where  they  remained  about  three 
weeks.  Mr.  Vassar  was  then  fifty-three  years  of  age,  and  in 
the  full  vigor  of  the  most  robust  health.  He  was  the  imper 
sonation  of  perpetual  activity.  From  early  morning  until  late 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  39 

in  the  evening  be  was  busy  in  observations  of  men  and  things. 
No  place  of  note  in  that  great  city  escaped  his  vision,  and  no 
details  of  institutions  and  business  establishments  that  he 
visited  were  free  from  his  scrutiny.  "No  man,'1  says  Mr. 
Swan,  in  a  note  to  the  author.  "  ever  saw  more  and  absorbed 
more  in  the  same  space  of  time.  Always  an  early  riser, 
always  in  motion,  and  always  inquisitive ;  challenging  every 
thing  for  its  reason  for  being  at  all,  and  especially  for  being 
as  he  found  it,  he  satisfied  himself  concerning  the  why  and 
the  wherefore  of  a  multitude  of  objects  and  interests  which  the 
superficial  observer  would  neither  perceive  nor  understand.'1 
Every  thing  interested  him ;  but  most  of  all  was  he  impressed 
by  the  great  Hospital  on  St.  Thomas  Street,  erected  and 
endowed  by  Thomas  Guy,  whose  family  and  Vassar's  are 
connected  by  ties  of  consanguinity.  That  noble  fruit  of  his 
kinsman's  liberality  is  one  of  the  most  useful  of  England's 
monuments  which  perpetuate  the  memory  of  her  distin 
guished  men ;  and  in  the  contemplation  of  it,  the  thought 
conceived  by  his  visit  to  the  Free  Grammar  School  and 
the  Hospital  at  Southampton  developed  in  the  mind  of 
Mr.  Vassar  a  fixed  resolution  to  devote  a  large  portion  of  his 
own  fortune  to  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-men. 

Thomas  Guy  was  a  native  of  London,  where  he  was 
born  about  the  year  1643.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  was  apprenticed  to  a  bookseller  in  his  native  city,  and 
when  he  attained  to  his  majority  he  began  the  same  business 
on  his  own  account,  upon  a  capital  of  one  thousand  dollars. 
He  established  a  lucrative  business  in  the  importation  of 
Bibles  from  Holland,  and  afterwards  made  a  profitable 
contract  for  the  sale  of  those  printed  at  the  Oxford  Uni 
versity  in  England.  Very  parsimonious  in  his  habits,  he  soon 
accumulated  a  large  fortune.  He  had  a  favorite  servant 


40  YASSAR    COLLEGE 

girl,  who  was  sensible  and  comely,  and  he  offered  her  his 
hand  in  marriage.  It  was  accepted ;  but,  because  of  some 
trifling  offense,  he  broke  his  engagement,  dismissed  her  from 
his  service,  and  lived  a  celibate,  devoting  nearly  his  whole 
time  to  the  business  of  accumulating  wealth,  with  the 
intention  of  finally  using  it  for  some  benevolent  object. 

During  the  wars  in  Queen  Anne's  reign,  Guy  made  large 
sums  by  the  purchase  of  government  securities  from  indivi 
duals  at  a  depreciated  rate,  especially  seamen's  prize-tickets. 
He  was  also  a  fortunate  dealer  in  stocks  of  the  companies 
which  were  organized  by  speculators,  without  real  founda 
tions,  from  the  years  17 10  to  1719,  inclusive,  and  especially 
of  that  known  as  the  South  Sea  Company,  incorporated  in 
1710,  in  whose  bonds  almost  every  wealthy  person  in  England 
became  a  dealer.  The  shares  going  rapidly  from  the  par  value 
of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling  to  one  thousand  pounds,  made 
many  apparently  very  rich ;  and  the  most  extravagant 
displays  of  equipages,  and  other  evidences  of  wealth,  were 
indulged  in  by  those  who,  but  a  few  months  before,  were 
poor  and  obscure.  Guy  might  have  been  seen  almost  daily 
among  the  infatuated  crowd  of  both  sexes,  in  Exchange  Alley, 
buying  and  selling  those  bonds.  He  knew  their  real  worth- 
lessness,  and  was  one  of  a  few  wise  ones  who  said,  in  effect, 

u  Five  hundred  millions,  notes  and  bonds, 

Our  stocks  are  worth  in  value; 
But  neither  lie  in  goods  or  lands 

Or  money,  let  me  tell  you. 
Yet  though  our  foreign  trade  is  lost, 

Of  mighty  wealth  we  vapor, 
When  all  the  riches  that  we  boast 

Consist  of  scraps  of  paper.1' 

Guy  operated  shrewdly,  and  when  the  "South  Sea  Bubble," 
as  it  was  called,  burst,  in  1720,  and  thousands  of  families  in 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  41 

England  were  impoverished,  he  was  without  the  worthless 
bonds,  and  the  possessor  of  immense  wealth.  He  was  then 
nearly  seventy-seven  years  of  age,  and  felt  that  it  was  high 
time  for  him  to  set  about  the  final  disposition  of  his  entire 
estate.  He  had  no  near  kinsfolk,  and  it  was  to  be  mostly 
devoted  to  some  public  object.  He  had  already  been  a  liberal 
contributor  to  the  funds  of  St.  Thomas's  Hospital,  situated 
within  the  area  of  the  old  manor  of  Southwark,  and  which 
was  founded  in  1:213.  In  1707,  he  caused  one  of  its  buildings 
to  be  erected  at  his  sole  expense ;  and  he  was  one  of  its  gov 
ernors  for  many  years.  He  was  disposed  to  give  all  of  his 
property  to  that  institution,  for  the  enlargement  of  its  means 
for  usefulness,  but  his  friends  persuaded  him  to  found  a  new 
hospital.  He  purchased  from  the  governors  of  St.  Thomas's 
the  lease  of  a  lot  for  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years ;  and 
in  1721  he  caused  the  old  buildings  that  occupied  a  portion 
of  it  to  be  removed.  In  the  following  spring  the  foundations 
for  a  hospital  were  laid ;  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  at  the 
middle  of  December,  1724,  the  building  was  roofed.  It  was 
soon  afterward  completed,  and  the  entire  cost  of  erection  was 
ninety-four  thousand  dollars  of  our  decimal  currency.  By  his 
will  he  left,  as  an  endowment  for  it,  almost  one  million  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  making  his  w^hole  gift  for  that 
institution  almost  twelve  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He 
also  built  an  alms-house  at  Tamworth,  in  Staffordshire,  for 
fourteen  men  and  women ;  and  he  bequeathed  to  it  a  little 
over  six  hundred  dollars  a  year.  He  also  left  an  annuity 
of  two  thousand  dollars  to  Christ's  Hospital  in  London. 
Thomas  Guy  gave  for  charitable  purposes  more  money 
than  any  private  individual  in  the  kingdom  had  ever  done 
before;  and  he  left  to  his  few  and  remote  relatives  four 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 


42  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Our  picture  represents  the  entrance   to    Guy's   Hospital 
from  the  quadrangle    on  its   front,    in   the  center   of  which 


±~ 

GUY'S  HOSPITAL. 


is   a   bronze   statue   of   its  Founder,  by  Scheemaker.      The 
front  panel  of  the  pedestal  bears  the  following  inscription : 

THOMAS  GUY, 

SOLE  FOUNDER  or  THIS  HOSPITAL 

IN  HIS  LIFETIME. 
A.  D.   M  DCC  XXL 

On  the  west  side  of  the  pedestal  is  a  representation,  in  low 
relief,  of  the  scene  of  the  Good  Samaritan.  On  the  south 
side  is  another,  of  Guy's  arms ;  and  on  the  east  side  is  still 
another,  representing  our  Saviour  healing  the  impotent  man. 
From  the  time  of  his  visit  to  the  Hospital  founded  by 
his  kinsman,  Mr.  Vassar  dates  his  resolution  to  devote  a  large 
portion  of  his  own  fortune,  "  in  his  lifetime,"  to  some  benevo 
lent  purpose ;  and  that  of  an  asylum  for  the  sick,  to  be 
established  in  the  village  in  which  he  had  accumulated  his 
wealth,  at  once  assumed  a  definite  shape.  He  visited  Guy's 


AND    ITS    FOUNDEK.  43 

Hospital  frequently  while  he  remained  in  London.  He  made 
himself  familiar  with  its  history,  construction,  equipment,  and 
operations;  and  brought  home  with  him  much  information,  in 
the  form  of  drawings  and  notes,  for  his  guidance  in  his  own 
plan  of  benevolence.  And  when  he  left  his  wife  and  Mr. 
Swan  in  London  and  traveled  alone  into  Norfolk,  to  visit  his 
birthplace,  his  thoughts  were  much  occupied  in  the  contem 
plation  of  the  noble  idea  of  becoming  a  benefactor  of  his  race. 
That  visit  to  his  birthplace  was  a  most  interesting  circum 
stance  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Vassar.  He  traveled  from  London  to 
Norwich  by  railway,  and  from  that  old  city  to  East  Dereham 
in  a  private  carriage.  The  Homestead  had  often  been  a 
subject  of  his  day-dreams  when  memory  transported  him 
back  to  childhood.  The  cottage,  the  pebbly  pond,  the  gate, 
the  stately  trees,  the  meadows,  the  cultivated  fields,  and  the 
gentle  hills,  were  in  those  visions;  and  when  he  returned, 
after  an  absence  of  fifty  years,  they  were  all  there !  The 
pond  seemed  less,  and  the  hills  not  so  lofty,  nor  the 
cottage  so  high  and  long,  as  each  appeared  to  his  young 
eyes,  and  in  the  "  pictures  on  memory's  wall ;"  but  a  grand 
old  hollow  tree — hollow  and  dying  when  he  left — was  still 
there,  and  seeming  as  huge  and  grand  as  in  his  childhood. 
But  it  was  now  without  leaf  or  acorn,  and  was  clad  only 
in  the  verdure  of  a  luxuriant  parasite.  It  seemed  as  if  it 
might  have  been  the  study  of  Spenser  when  he  wrote,— 

"A  huge  oak,  dry  and  dead, 
Still  clad  with  reliques  of  its  trophies  old, 
Lifting  to  heaven  its  aged,  hoary  head  ; 
Whose  foot  on  earth  hath  got  but  feeble  hold, 
And,  half  disboweled,  stands  above  the  ground 
With  wreathed  roots  and  naked  arms." 

It  was  at  the  beginning  of  July,  and  scenes  of  the  hay 
making  season,  about  which  Herrick  and  others  of  the  elder 


44  V  ASS  AH    COLLEGE 

poets  of  England  delighted  to  write,  and  which  had  been 
deeply  impressed  upon  the  pilgrim's  young  mind,  were  now 
reproduced  and  gave  him  great  delight.  "At  that  season," 
says  Thomas  Miller  the  Basket  Maker,  in  one  of  his  exquisite 
sketches  of  rural  life  in  England,  "  silence  reigns  in  the  vil 
lages.  If  you  knock  at  fifty  doors  you  are  likely  to  receive  no 
answer,  for  old  and  young  are  in  the  fields;  even  the  ' wee 
things  '  toddle  along  the  smooth-shaven  green,  or  roll  happily 
among  the  windrows.  First  is  the  stout  mower ;  be  rises 
early  in  the  morning,  and  long  before  the  heat  of  the  day 
comes  on,  he  has  leveled  many  a  beautiful  flower  and  healing 
herb  to  the  earth.  You  hear  him  sharpening  his  scythe  long 
before  you  can  see  him — the  clear  i  rasp,  rasp,'  rings  tar  and 
wide  over  the  valleys.  Then  you  catch  a  glimpse  of  his  white 
shirt-sleeves  through  some  vista  in  the  hedge,  moving  like  the 
pendulum  of  a  clock  or  the  wings  of  a  bird — you  cannot  dis 
tinguish  clearly  for  the  mists.  At  length  you  near  him. 
What  havoc  has  he  made  !  what  fair  daughters  of  the  field 
has  he  prostrated  !  what  hidden  homes  has  he  laid  bare  !— 
haunts  of  the  bird  and  field-mouse — unroofing  the  snug 
dwelling,  and  leaving  their  little  ones  exposed  to  the  covetous 

glances  of  the  nesting  boys Where  will  you 

find  happier  faces  than  in  the  hay-field  ?  The  farmer  is  there, 
moving  like  a  father  amongst  his  children,  smiling  occasion 
ally  at  the  innocent  jest,  or  prophesying  the  wedding-day 
between  Jane  and  John,  who  are  following  each  other  with 
the  rake  and  fork.  Then  there  is  all  the  village  gossip — what 
hours  it  takes  telling !  And  there  is  the  blushing  damsel 
with  her  gown  thrown  off,  and  stripped  to  the  stays,  showing 
all  the  symmetry  of  her  fine  figure  while  raking  round  the 
haycock  which  her  lover  has  reared,  forgetful  of  the  heat  and 
labor  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  conversation.  How  proud  he 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  45 

also  seems  who  is  mounted  on  the  top  of  the  wagon  to  arrange 
the  load  ! — but  still  prouder  he  who  forms  the  hay-stack  in 
the  farmyard  !  He  will  boast  of  its  roundness,  firmness,  and 
regularity  for  many  a  night  over  his  ale,  and  appeal  to  the 
old  men,  who,  instead  of  answering  him,  will  enter  into  a 
long  narrative  of  the  large  stacks  which  they  had  formed 

when  young   men There   is  a  charm  in 

scenes  like  these — a  something  that  rushes  upon  the  heart 
like  the  joyousness  of  boyhood — happiness  felt,  not  seen." 

London  is  less  populous  in  July  than  in  any  other 
month,  for  its  denizens  have  then  fled  from  its  heat  to  the 
cooler  air  of  the  mountains  or  the  seashore.  When  Mr. 
Vassar  returned  from  his  little  excursion,  he  and  his  com 
panions  followed  the  universal  example,  and  departed  for 
the  coast  of  the  Irish  Sea.  They  passed  by  railway 
through  the  rich  midland  counties  of  England,  to  the 
immense  manufacturing  and  commercial  city  of  Manchester, 
on  the  Irwell,  where  they  remained  a  few  days,  and  then 
journeyed  to  Liverpool,  on  the  Mersey,  the  chief  sea-port 
of  England.  In  each  of  these  immense  marts  of  business 
they  spent  time  in  observation  most  pleasantly  and  profit 
ably.  The  great  cotton  manufactories  of  the  former  city, 
with  their  forty  thousand  operatives;  and  the  magnificent 
docks  of  the  latter,  whose  commercial  marine  is  inferior 
only  to  that  of  New  York,  are  among  the  wonders  of  the 
modern  world. 

When  these,  and  scores  of  other  objects  of  interest,  had 
been  seen  in  Liverpool,  and  in  the  ship-building  borough 
of  Birkenhead  opposite,  and  there  were  no  more  novelties 
to  excite  our  travelers,  they  crossed  St.  George's  Channel 
in  a  steamer  to  Dublin — the  Eblama  of  Ptolemy — the  Bally- 
ath-Cliath  of  the  ancient  Celts  and  Milesians.  There  they 


46  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

remained  several  days,  occupying  every  hour  of  daylight 
iu  seeing  all  that  was  attractive  to  the  eye,  and  hearing 
all  that  was  agreeable  to  the  ear,  in  that  fine  city — looking 
upon  its  Castle  on  the  hill;  its  institutions  of  learning; 
its  public  squares,  with  their  columns  and  statues ;  its  fine 
churches,  with  their  paintings  and  decorations;  its  convents, 
asylums,  hospitals,  and  zoological  garden ;  its  nine  superb 
bridges  that  span  the  estuary  on  which  the  town  is  built, 
and  the  beautiful  environs  of  that  oldest  city  in  Ireland. 
They  extended  one  of  their  rides  to  Maynooth,  on  the 
Eoyal  Canal,  fifteen  miles  from  Dublin,  which  is  the  seat 
of  the  College  of  St.  Patrick,  founded  by  act  of  Parliament 
for  the  education  of  Roman  Catholics  for  the  priesthood, 
and  about  which,  concerning  a  repeal  of  the  grant  or  the 
annual  appropriations  for  its  support,  there  were  warm 
debates  in  the  National  Legislature  for  many  years. 

When  Dublin  was  well  studied,  our  travelers  journeyed 
northward  to  Belfast,  in  the  picturesque  county  of  Antrim, 
where  a  little  time  was  pleasantly  spent;  and  then  they 
crossed  that  interesting  shire  to  the  sea-coast,  on  the  northern 
extremity  of  Ireland,  to  view  the  Giants'  Causeway,  that  great 
basaltic  wonder,  that  stretches  along  the  borders  of  the  ocean 
for  eight  miles,  between  the  promontories  of  Bengore  and 
Fairhead.  They  passed  several  days  in  that  vicinity,  and  then 
crossing  the  North  Channel  in  a  steam-packet,  voyaged  up 
the  Frith  of  Clyde  to  the  City  of  Glasgow,  whose  foundations 
were  laid  seven  centuries  before.  They  went  into  its  principal 
manufactories,  ship-yards,  and  public  buildings;  its  Green; 
its  Kelvin  Grove,  which  the  pen  of  Burns  immortalized  ;  saw 
its  monuments  and  statues;  explored  the  University  (with 
its  thousand  students  and  its  forty  thousand  volumes) 
founded  by  Pope  Nicholas  the  Fifth,  four  hundred  years  ago, 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  47 

and  above  whose  turrets  rises  the  lightning-rod  placed  there 
by  Dr.  Franklin,  1772;  and  they  listened  to  the  solemn 
pealing  of  the  organ  in  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Mango,  whose 
foundation-stones  were  laid  when  good  David  the  First  was 
king  of  Scotland.  Out  in  the  suburbs  and  the  surround 
ing  country  they  wandered,  and  rested  in  their  weariness 
upon  the  gray  stones  of  the  famous  wall  built  by  the  Ro 
mans,  from  the  Frith  of  Clyde  to  the  Frith  of  Forth,  when 
they  were  vainly  attempting  to  subjugate  the  naked  Cale 
donians.  Then  the  travelers  went  down  to  Ayr— 

"  Anld  Ayr,   wham  ne'er  a  town   surpasses 
In  honest  men  and  bonnie  lasses  ;" 

and  strolled  along  the 

— "banks  and  braes  o' bonnie  Doon," 

not  far  distant,  and  around 

"By  Allo way's  auld  haunted  kirk," 

standing  stark  and  roofless  by  the  road-side  between  Ayr 
and  Maybole,  where  Tarn  O'  Shanter, 

"A  blethering,  blustering,  drunken  blellum," 

had    the   strange   vision  of 

"Warlocks  and  witches  in  a  dance." 

But  most  interesting  of  all  was  their  visit  to  the  birthplace 
of  Burns,  a  long,  low,  and  neat  thatched  cottage,  with  two 
windows  and  four  doors  in  its  front,  situated  on  a  pretty  spot 
about  two  miles  from  Ayr.  Near  there,  Burns's  sister  Isabella 
(Mrs.  Beggs),  who  was  one  of  a  merry  dancing-party  on  a 
July  race-night,  in  1782,  was  yet  living,  with  her  daughter. 
She  was  a  kind-hearted,  cheerful  old  lady,  with  whom  our 


48  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

travelers  spent  several  hours.  They  went  to  her  house,  as 
other  strangers  had  done,  without  even  a  letter  of  introduc 
tion  ;  but  the  genial  sunshine  of  Mr.  Vassar's  nature  was  so 
sympathetic  with  her  own  that  one  would  have  supposed 
that  they  were  old  friends,  they  were  so  chatty.  The 
party  left  the  venerable  sister  of  the  poet  laden  with  flowers 
and  delighted  with  cheerful  good-bys ;  and  Mr.  Vassar  brought 
home  with  him,  as  a  choice  memento  of  his  visit,  a  fac-siinile 
of  the  manuscript  of  Burns' s  "  Cotter's  Saturday  Night," 
presented  to  him  by  Mrs.  Beggs. 

After  spending  some  time  among  the  Lakes  and  High 
lands  of  Scotland,  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  little  party  made 
their  way  across  the  country  to  Stirling,  where  they 
visited  the  old  castle  in  which  the  ancient  Scotch  kings 
dwelt  and  held  high  court.  There  they  saw  other  remains 
of  the  Roman  wall  ;  and  they  visited  the  field  of  the 
famous  battle  of  Bannockburn  near  by.  Then  they  went 
down  the  Frith  of  Forth  to  Edinburgh,  and  in  that  city 
and  its  vicinity  they  tarried  a  week  in  visiting  historical 
places,  and  literary  and  benevolent  institutions. 

Grandly  picturesque  is  that  old  city  of  Edinburgh  among 
the  hills,  and  rich  in  incidents  of  Scottish  history.  Not  one 
of  its  interesting  localities  escaped  the  eyes  of  our  travelers, 
from  the  quaint  dwelling  of  John  Knox  the  Reformer,  on 
High  Street,  or  the  trial-room  of  Jeanie  Deans,  to  the  lofty 
eminences  that  overlook  the  town.  They  climbed  three 
hundred  feet  above  the  Forth  to  the  Castle  on  a  rock,  and 
were  rewarded  by  the  sight  of  its  vast  armory ;  "  Mons  Meg," 
the  huge  Flemish  cannon,  wrought  of  bars  and  hoops  of  iron  ; 
and  the  regalia  of  the  kings  of  Scotland — crown,  scepter, 
sword,  and  wand.  They  climbed  more  than  eight  hundred 
feet  above  the  Forth  to  Arthur's  Seat,  and  were  rewarded  by 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  49 

the  sight  of  one  of  the  most  charming  and  picturesque  pano 
ramas  in  the  world.  They  visited  Holyrood  Palace,  wherein 
the  monarchs  of  Scotland  held  Court  when  it  was  a  king 
dom,  and  which  was  made  famous  by  the  deeds  and  mis 
deeds  within  its  walls  of  the  beautiful  Queen  Mary. 

From  Edinburgh  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  companions  tra 
veled  in  a  coach  to  Abbottsford  on  the  Tweed,  the  very 
name  of  which  awakens  a  sense  of  all  that  is  romantic  in 
Scottish  history,  tradition,  and  song;  for  it  was  there  that 
Walter  Scott,  the  "Wizard  of  the  North,"  for  a  long  time 
waved  his  pen- wand  and  summoned  legions  of  characters, 
strange  and  familiar,  noble  and  ignoble,  ugly  and  beau 
tiful,  from  all  the  past  of  his  beloved  Scotia,  to  charm  the 
world  of  his  own  time  and  of  all  the  future. 

After  visiting  the  abbeys  of  Dryburgh,  Melrose,  and 
Jedburgh,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Abbottsford,  the  travelers 
crossed  the  Cheviot  Hills  on  the  border  and  were  again  in 
England.  They  journeyed  leisurely  to  Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne,  and  after  exploring  the  vast  coal-mines  in  its 
vicinity,  sometimes  more  than  a  thousand  feet  from  the 
daylight,  and  visiting  the  finest  Norman  castle  in  all 
England,  built  there  by  Robert,  son  of  William  the  Con 
queror,  they  went  to  London,  where  they  remained  about 
three  weeks.  There  they  engaged  an  accomplished  courier 
for  a  tour  on  the  Continent,  and  crossed  the  southern 
borders  of  the  North  Sea  to  Antwerp,  on  the  Scheldt,  in 
Belgium,  once  the  commercial  center  of  Europe.  Its 
citadel,  built  by  the  Duke  of  Alva  three  hundred  years 
ago,  summons  to  the  student  of  history  the  terrible  picture 
'of  that  great  siege,  which  the  pen  of  Motley  has  described 
so  picturesquely.  Its  immense  fortifications,  its  superb 
cathedral,  its  great  docks  at  which  a  thousand  ships  may 


50  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

be  moored,  its  gallery  of  paintings,  its  botanical  garden,  and 
its  manufactories,  detained  our  travelers  a  few  days.  They 
made  a  short  day's  journey  to  Brussels,  the  beautiful  capi 
tal  of  Belgium,  so  remarkable  for  the  number  and  archi 
tecture  of  its  ancient  buildings,  among  which  is  the  palace 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange.  A  ride  of  ten  miles  southward 
took  them  to  the  village  of  Waterloo,  near  which  was 
fought  the  decisive  battle  which  crushed  the  power  and 
overthrew  the  young  dynasty  of  Napoleon  the  First. 

Returning  to  Brussels,  Mr.  Vassar  and  his  companions 
traveled  eastward  to  the  old  walled  town  of  Cologne,  on 
the  Rhine,  the  capital  of  Rhenish  Prussia,  and  remarkable 
as  containing  the  finest  cathedral  in  the  world.  From 
that  city  they  went  up  that  famous  river,  stopping  at 
many  places  by  the  way.  They  were  charmed,  at  first, 
by  the  sweet  rural  beauties  along  its  borders,  and  the 
vineyards  that  clothed  the  gentle  hills ;  and  then  by  the 
grand  and  picturesque  scenery  among  the  mountains,  from 
Bonn  to  Bingen,  where  castles  in  ruins  and  castles 
restored,  as  well  as  great  vineyards,  are  most  abundant. 
They  spent  a  few  days  at  the  celebrated  watering-places 
of  Weisbaden  and  Baden-Baden ;  and  a  longer  time  at  the 
free  German  city  of  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  whose  public 
squares,  and  promenades,  and  suburbs  are  not  surpassed 
in  beauty  by  any  city  in  Europe. 

From  Frankfort  our  little  party  journeyed  southward 
to  Basle,  on  the  upper  Rhine,  just  within  the  borders 
of  Switzerland ;  a  picturesque  and  interesting  town, 
founded  in  the  fourth  century,  and  famous,  at  one  time, 
as  the  most  powerful  city  in  Helvetia.  Around  it  clus 
ter  many  historic  associations,  ancient  and  modern ; 
and  it  is  sanctified  in  the  estimation  of  scholars  by  the 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  51 

tomb    of    Erasmus,    who    died    there    in    1536,    and    was 
buried   in   the   old   Roman    Fort   Basilia. 

A  short  journey  from  Basle  placed  the  travelers  in 
Lucerne,  on  the  Reuss,  a  highly  picturesque  town,  inclosed 
by  walls  and  watch-towers,  and  lying  close  by  the  beau 
tiful  cruciform  lake  of  the  same  name.  Upon  the  waters 
of  that  lake  they  made  delightful  excursions;  and  at 
Kiissnacht,  on  its  northern  border,  they  sat  in  the  chapel 
of  William  Tell,  that  stands  near  the  spot  where  that 
glorious  Swiss  patriot,  as  tradition  tells  us,  leaped  from 
his  boat  and  ended  the  career  of  Gessler,  the  oppressor  of 
his  country,  Bryant  has  said : — 

u  Chains  may  subdue  the  feeble  spirit,  but  thee, 

TELL,  of  the  iron  heart,  they  could  not  tame! 
For  tli on  wert  of  the  mountains:    they  proclaim 
The  everlasting  Creed    of  Liberty." 

When  they  departed  from  Lucerne  they  still  kept  a 
southward  course,  for  it  was  Autumn,  and  the  air  Avas 
becoming  cold  among  the  mountains.  They  crossed  the 
Lepontine  Alps,  at  the  St  Gothard  Pass,  nearly  seven 
thousand  feet  above  the  Gulf  of  Venice,  and  descended 
into  warm  and  beautiful  Lombardy,  to  Milan,  passing  on 
the  way  the  colossal  statue  of  St.  Borroineo,  at  Arona, 
on  the  borders  of  the  beautiful  Lake  Maggiore.  They 
had  seen  the  spires  of  the  magnificent  cathedral  while  far 
away,  rising  from  the  center  of  the  great  city,  which  was 
famous  as  the  chief  town  of  Cisalpine  Gaul  centuries 
before  the  birth  of  Christ,  The  travelers  spent  several 
days  among  its  wonders :  the  grand  cathedral,  with  its 
four  thousand  four  hundred  statues;  the  immense  hospital, 
founded  by  Stbrza ;  Da  Vinci's  Last  Supper,  which  he 
frescoed  in  the  refectory  of  the  old  Dominican  Convent; 


52  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

the  public  library,  with  its  one  hundred  and  ninety  thou 
sand  volumes ;  and  a  hundred  other  objects,  ancient  and 
modern,  which  there  delight  the  eye  and  elevate  the  taste. 

From  Milan  the  party  traveled  by  post  to  Genoa,  a 
city  so  full  of  magnificence,  bright  and  faded,  that  it  is 
called  "  the  superb."  Its  legendary  history  is  older  than 
the  foundations  of  Rome ;  and  its  true  story,  running 
through  long  centuries,  is  almost  as  interesting  as  that  of 
the  capital  of  the  Caesars.  Standing  in  the  midst  of  its 
splendid  architecture  and  its  wealth  of  statuary;  or 
looking  up  from  its  harbor,  and  seeing  the  city  with  its 
palaces  and  churches,  and  gardens  and  promenades  rising 
like  an  amphitheater,  with  the  bald  summits  of  the  Apen 
nines  and  the  icy  peaks  of  the  Alps  towering  grandly 
behind  it,  the  beholder  sympathizes  with  the  Italian  when 
he  speaks  of  it  as  la  Swperba.  Its  attractive  objects  were 
diligently  sought  for  by  the  travelers,  and  the  most  inter 
esting  of  them  all  for  intelligent  Americans — the  birth 
place  of  Columbus — was  visited  with  the  greatest  satisfac 
tion. 

After  tarrying  a  few  days  in  Genoa,  the  travelers  went 
by  steamer  to  Leghorn,  the  principal  seaport  of  Tuscany, 
on  the  Mediterranean,  which  had  long  been  famous  for  its 
manufactories  of  silk  and  straw.  They  journeyed  into  the 
interior  to  the  walled  town  of  Pisa,  on  the  Arno.  There 
they  remained  long  enough  to  visit  its  attractions,  such  as 
the  Campanile  and  the  Leaning  Tower;  the  Cemetery,  with 
its  huge  mound  of  earth  from  Palestine ;  the  Cathedral,  built 
of  pure  marble,  with  magnificent  doors  of  bronze  and 
elegant  columns  from  Greece;  the  richly  adorned  churches; 
the  Ducal  Palace  and  other  public  buildings ;  and  its 
numerous  works  by  the  hands  of  painters  and  sculptors. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  53 

From  Pisa   they  went  up  the  Arno  to    Florence,  at  the 
foot  of  the  Apennine  mountains,  which  for  generations  has 
been    the  Mecca  of  the  artist  and  scholar  of  all  lands.     It 
is    peerless    in    its    nativity    record    of    really    great    men. 
There  some  of  the  brightest    orbs  in  the  galaxy  of  human 
genius  arose   upon  the  world.     The   poets    Dante,   Petrarch, 
Boccaccio,  and   Filicaja;  the    sculptor    and    painter   Michael 
Angelo ;    the    medalist,    engraver,    sculptor,    musician,    and 
soldier,    Benvenuto    Cellini ;    the    statesmen    and    historians, 
Macchiavelli    and    Guicciardini ;     the    astronomer     Galileo ; 
the  painter  Leonardo  da  Vinci;    the  discoverer  of  our  own 
continent,    Americus  Vespucius ;  the  great  merchant,  states 
man,  and  benefactor,  Cosmo  de   Medici,  on  whose  tomb  are 
the  words  applied   to   our   beloved   Washington :     "  Father 
of  his    Country "  —and    his   greater   grandson,    Lorenzo    the 
Magnificent,  were    all  born   there.     The   tombs    of  most    of 
them  the  travelers  saw  in   the  Church  of  Sante  Croce — the 
Valhalla    or    the    Westminster    Abbey     of    Tuscany ;    and 
their  statues  and    monuments   are   everywhere  in    Florence. 
"  You    cannot    stroll    fifty     yards,"    says      DTsraeli — "  you 
cannot  enter  a  church  or  a  palace,  wit h out   being  favorably 
reminded   of   the   power   of  human    thought.     In   Florence, 
the    monuments   are    not    only    of    great    men,    but    of    the 
greatest.     You    do    not   gaze    upon    the   tomb  of  an  author 
who    is   merely  a   great  master  of  composition,  but  of  one 
who    formed    the    language.     The    illustrious    astronomer  is 
not    the   discoverer    of    a    planet,  but    the    revealer    of   the 
whole  celestial    machinery.     The    artists   and   the  politicians 
are    not    merely  the   first   sculptors    and    statesmen  of  their 
time,  but  the  inventors  of  the  very  art  and  the  very  craft 
in  which  they  excelled." 

A    simple    catalogue    of  objects   of  interest   in    Florence 


54  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

would  fill  many  pages.  The  travelers  looked  upon  all 
that  were  most  remarkable,  and  then,  returning  to  Leg 
horn,  they  went  down  the  coast  to  Civita  Vecchia,  the 
chief  sea-port  of  the  Papal  States.  From  that  city  they 
journeyed  toward  Rome,  and  on  a  beautiful  afternoon  they 
crossed  the  solitary  Campagna,  a  great  plain  around  it, 
strewn  with  the  sad  evidences  of  ancient  splendor: — 

*'  The  Champaign,  with  its  endless  fleece 

Of  feathery  grasses  everywhere ! 
Silence  and  passion,  joy  and  peace — 

An  everlasting  wash  of  air — 
Rome's  ghost  since  her  decease." 

Rome !  The  greatest  wonder  in  man's  temporal  history ! 
No  matter  whether  it  is  Truth  or  Fiction  that  tells  you 
that  a  she-wolf  gave  sustenance  to  its  founders.  There  it 
was,  a  thriving  village,  seven  centuries  before  the  Incarna 
tion;  there  it  was,  the  magnificient  capital  of  the  known 
world,  at  the  Advent;  there  it  is,  a  mighty  ruin — a 
shriveled  empire,  just  now  fading  out  of  sight  as  a 
sovereignty.  It  is  yet  filled  with  wonders ;  and  what  all 
travelers  see  in  Rome  our  travelers  saw,  for  they  were 
diligent  through  every  waking  hour  in  exploring  the 
present  possessions  of  that  once  Mistress  of  the  World, 
now  seated  among  the  nations  in  comparative  squalor,  with 
aspect  sad  and  desolate.  Her  gorgeous  decorations  of 
modern  churches  and  palaces  seem  unbecoming,  for  they 
make  her  real  wretchedness  appear  more  forbidding.  And 
yet  the  curious  and  the  learned  sit  with  delight  in  her 
lap,  admiring  even  her  scars  and  wrinkles,  because  of  the 
glorious  associations  which  cluster  around  them ;  and  they 
listen  with  enchanted  ears  to  her  marvelous  stories  of 
buried  centuries  with  which  her  long  and  eventful  life 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  55 

Las  been  familiar.  It  was  with  reluctance  that  our 
travelers  turned  away  from  her,  after  lingering  in  her 
presence  for  weeks,  for  they  had  not  yet  felt  the  least 
satiety. 

An  incident  illustrative  of  Mr.  Vassar's  indisposition 
for  mere  display  occurred  just  before  they  left  Rome.  He 
purchased  from  different  artists  several  statuettes,  of 
various  sizes,  that  gratified  his  taste.  They  were  paid  for 
and  prepared  for  shipment,  when  he  reflected  that  his 
modest  home  in  Poughkeepsie  was  not  an  appropriate 
place  for  such  works  of  art,  and  that  they  might  be 
regarded  by  his  fellow-townsmen  as  an  ostentatious 
display  of  his  wealth.  There  was  no  public  place  in  the 
village  in  which  they  might  have  been  appropriately 


MR.    VASSAK'S  RESIDENCE. 


placed;  so  he  left  them  in  Italy,  content  to  bring  home 
some  plain  curiosities  as  mementoes  of  his  visit  to  the 
crumbling  Coliseum,  or  some  other  relic  of  the  ancient 
city. 

From  Rome  the  travelers  went  to  Naples — the  Parthenope 
of  the  Greeks,  who  founded   it.     Sweetly  it  reposes  in   the 


56  VASSAB    COLLEGE 

most  delicious  climate,  and  on  the  borders  of  a  bay  that  has 
no  peer  in  extent  and  beauty.  It  has  a  stirring  history  since 
Virgil  studied  there  and  was  buried  in  its  suburbs ;  for  the 
Emperors  Adrian  and  Constantine  made  it  their  occasional 
residence  ;  and  Belisarius  sacked  it ;  and  emperors  of  Germany 
and  of  Spain  trod  its  streets  as  its  masters  by  the  fortunes 
of  war ;  and  earthquakes  and  its  restless  neighbor  Vesuvius 
have  rent  and  scarred  it.  How  marvelous  its  neighbor 
hood,  where  Pompeii  and  Herculanenm  were  for  centuries 
hidden  from  the  knowledge  of  man  by  the  ashes  that  fell 
and  the  lava  that  flowed  from  lofty  Vesuvius,  before  the 
wondering  eyes  of  Pliny.  That  volcano  was  moderately 
active  when  our  travelers  were  there,  and  climbed  its 
black  slopes.  Before  the  writer  is  a  piece  of  lava  which 
Mr.  Vassar  drew  from  the  fiery  stream  with,  a  rude  staff, 
and  in  it  embedded  an  Italian  copper  coin. 

When  Naples  and  its  near  and  remote  environs  had  been 
explored,  the  travelers  went  to  the  Neapolitan  island  of 
Capri — delightful  Capri — where  Augustus  sought  health,  and 
Tiberius,  with  his  dozen  villas  and  convivial  friends,  passed  the 
evening  of  his  days.  They  also  went  to  Ischia,  arid  enjoyed 
the  luxury  of  the  Sulphur  Springs  of  Cassarneccia,  and  the 
wines  made  from  the  delicious  grapes  of  the  island.  Then 
they  voyaged  back  to  Genoa,  and  journeyed  westward  along 
the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  through  Nice  and  Toulon 
to  Marseilles,  which  Phoenician  navigators  founded  almost 

i  o 

as  early  as  the  beginning  of  Home.  There  they  remained  a 
week,  and  then  went  northward  to  Lyons,  on  the  Rhone,  the 
second  city  in  France  in  population  and  commercial  impor 
tance.  History  has  much  to  say  about  it.  It  was  the  capital 
of  Celtic  Gaul  before  the  Christian  era ;  kings  of  Burgundy 
dwelt  there ;  and  within  its  borders  three  Roman  emperors 


AJS13    ITS    FOUNDER.  O< 

were  Lorn.  The  fame  of  its  silk  manufactories  is  uni 
versal  :  and  among  its  looms  and  other  industrial  imple 
ments  of  the  great  city  our  travelers  spent  a  week. 

From  Lyons  they  went  up  to  Geneva,  in  Switzerland, 
the  "nursery  of  heresy,11  as  Charles  the  Ninth  called  it, 
where  Rousseau  the  free-thinker  was  born,  and  has  'been 
honored  witli  a  statue  ;  and  where  Calvin  thundered  his 
anathemas  alike  against  free-thinkers,  the  Papal  hierarchy, 
and  Servetus  the  Unitarian.  They  enjoyed  the  invigorating 
air  and  ennobling  scenery  in  that  delightful  region,  and 
wondered  how,  in  such  an  atmosphere,  Calvin  could  have 
consented  to  the  slaughter  of  Servetus  for  "  blasphemy 
and  heresy,'1  or  founded  the  famous  school  of  terrifying 
theologians.  Calvin  said,  u  Time  is,  for  man,  the  ante 
chamber  of  hell  or  heaven  ;  mark  it  well."1  From  Geneva, 
where  he  uttered  the  thought,  a  hundred  thousand  time- 
markers  are  sent  out  to  the  world  every  year  in  the  form 
of  exquisitely  wrought  watches,  that  men  may  obey  the 
solemn  injunction  of  the  great  Reformer. 

Still  northward  our  travelers  journeyed  when  they  left 
Geneva,  and  again  crossing  the  border  into  France,  they 
made  their  way  to  Chalons,  famous  as  the  place  where  the 
bulls  of  excommunication,  hurled  by  the  Popes  against 
Henry  the  Fourth  of  France,  were  publicly  burnt.  Thence 
they  traveled  by  diligence  to  Paris,  which  some  sagacious 
Englishman  has  declared  to  be  the  American's  ideal  of 
heaven.  There  tliev  remained  about  three  weeks,  seein<>' 

*  o 

all  that  was  most  remarkable,  and  "hearing  all  that  was 
most  delightful.  Then  they  traveled  by  post  to  Havre, 
crossed  the  channel  to  Dover,  and  at  near  midwinter  found 
themselves  again  in  London.  Although  not  a  third  of 
the  period  allotted  for  their  ahr>eiice  had  expired,  arrange- 

8 


58  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

ments  were  now  made  for  a  speedy  return  to  America. 
Mrs.  Vassar,  who  was  very  domestic  in  Iier  tastes  and 
habits,  was  yearning  for  the  quiet  and  rest  of  her  own 
home,  for  she  was  thoroughly  weary  of  travel,  and  satiated 

o        «/  «/ 

by  sight-seeing.  So,  after  tarrying  about  three  weeks  in 
London,  industriously  seeking  and  obtaining  knowledge  of 
much  that  is  profitable  to  be  known,  they  went  to  Liver 
pool  and  embarked  for  New  York,  where  they  arrived 
late  in  February. 

During     his    travels     abroad,    Mr.    Vassar     had     talked 

o 

much  about  the  disposition  of  a  large  part  of  his  fortune 
in  a  way  that  should  best  promote  the  general  welfare 
of  society,  especially  the  community  in  which  he  had  lived 
for  more  than  half  a  century.  He  and  his  companions 
had  frequent  discussions  as  to  the  best  method  of  accom 
plishing  the  desired  result.  An  asylum  for  the  afflicted  ; 

J.  O  «-' 

a  school  for  the  free  academic  education  of  the  worthy 
poor ;  and  an  institution  devoted  exclusively  to  the 
education  of  girls,  were  objects  which  then  and  at  different 
times  afterward  presented  themselves  for  his  consideration. 
The  founding  of  a  hospital  after  the  plan  of  Guy's  was  a 
favorite  desire  of  his  heart,  but  circumstances  caused 
another  object  not  less  important  to  engage  his  attention, 
and,  for  a  time,  to  weaken  his  determination  to  establish 
in  Poughkeepsie  an  asylum  for  the  sick  and  infirm.  A 
daughter  of  his  sister  Maria,  Miss  Lydia  Booth,  had  for 
some  years  held  a  prominent  place  among  the  thorough 
educators  of  girls  in  the  A'illage,  and  her  school  was  always 
filled  with  the  children  of  the  best  known  citizens.  Her 
apartments  became  too  limited  for  herself  and  pupils, 
and  Mr.  Vassar  purchased  for  her  use  a  dwelling  on 
Garden  Street,  on  the  northern  \*er<j-e  of  the  town.  It  was 


AND    ITS    FOTTN"DKR.  59 

quite  a  spacious  building,  with  ample  grounds  around  it. 
ft  had  once  belonged  to  one  of  the  Livingston  family, 
and  its  roof  had  acquired  a  little  local  fame  as  the  shelter 
of  the  exiled  Bourbon  of  the  Orleans  line,  Louis  Philippe, 
afterward  king  of  France,  who  was  accompanied  by  Prince 
Talleyrand,  the  peerless  diplomat,  and  political  Vicar  of 
Bray.  It  was  situated  upon  an  elevated  knoll,  overlook 
ing  much  of  the  village  and  the  surrounding  country;  and 
there  Miss  Booth  established  the  Cottage  Hill  Seminary, 
which  is  now,  with  the  same  title,  the  more  extensive 
Church  school  for  young  women,  of  which  the  Rev.  George 
T.  Rider  is  Rector  and  proprietor. 

Mr.  Yassar  took  a  lively  interest  in  his  niece's  semi 
nary.  He  visited  it  frequently,  and  listened  with  satisfaction 
to  Miss  Booth's  suggestions,  that  he  might  he  a  substantial 
benefactor  by  appropriating  a  part  of  his  wealth  for  the 
founding  of  an  institution  for  the  education  of  her  sex, 
which  should  be  of  a  higher  order  than  any  then  existing. 
The  suggestion  made  a  deep  impression  on  his  mind,  and 
when,  a  few  years  afterward,  it  was  again  presented  to  him 
for  consideration  by  another,  supported  by  cogent  reasons, 
his  judgment  readily  yielded,  and  a  most  salutary  result 
followed. 

It  was  several  years  after  Mr.  Vassar's  return  from 
Europe  before  he  decided  upon  the  object  of  his  intended 
benevolent  action.  Business  again  occupied  much  of  his 
thoughts  and  time,  and  the  revolving  wheels  of  his  daily 
life  were  soon  running  in  their  accustomed  ruts  of  routine. 

<^ 

Matters  of  public  concern  to  the  community  of  which  he 
was  a  part,  claimed  his  attention  and  active  co-operation. 
He  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  village:  and  at  length,  when  it  was  determined  by 


(v!)  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

some  of  the  citizens  to  establish  a  public  cemeteiy  near 
the  town,  Mr.  Vassal'  was  one  of  the  most  zealous  pro 
moters  of  the  enterprise.  He  was  chairman  of  a  commit 
tee  appointed  at  a  public  meeting  to  select  suitable 
grounds  for  that  purpose.  Mail}'  places  were  examined, 
and  the  Committee  finally  reported  in  favor  of  a  pic 
turesque  portion  of  a  farm,  of  about  fifty  acres  in  extent, 
lying  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south  from  the  Court-House. 
Much  of  it  was  in  a  state  of  natural  rudeness.  Wooded 
knolls  arose  above  tangled  hollows.  Springs  gushed  out 
from  oozv  little  hill-sides,  and  formed  rivulets  that, 


Wanton  and  wild,  through  many  a  green  ravine 
Beneath  the  forest  flowed/' 


A  quaint  old  farm-house  stood  near  a  fine  spring,  and 
close  by  it  was  a  Dutch  barn.  The  aspect  of  these  was 
consonant  with  the  rude  surroundings  ;  and  to  utilitarians, 
who  measure  value  by  the  scale  of  pecuniary  profit,  the 
domain  was  an  unattractive,  idle  wild.  But  the  Committee 
saw  in  that  topographical  rudeness  the  substantial  ele 
ments  out  of  which  a  most  beautiful  landscape  might  be 
fashioned  by  the  hand  of  Taste — a  place  for  the  repose  of 
mortality  that  might  so  charm  the  senses  of  the  living 
tli at  the  aspect  of  the  Angel  of  Death  would  not  disturb 
the  soul  of  the  contemplative  Christian  within  its  borders, 
but  lend  him  to  feel,  with  Yonnsr,  that 


"Death  is  the  crown  of  life. 

Were  death  denied,  poor  man  would  live  in  vain. 
Death  wounds  to  cure :   we  fall  ;   we  rise ;   we  reign ! 
Spring  from  our  fetters;  fasten  in  the  skies; 
Where  blooming  Eden  withers  in  our  sight. 
Death    gives  us  more  than    was  in  Eden  lost. 
This  Xing  of  Terrors  is  the  Prince  of  Peace  " 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


61 


The  Committee  urged  the  citizens  to  purchase  the 
grounds  they  had  selected.  But  there  was  hesitation. 
There  was  delay  in  the  organization  of  a  Cemetery  Asso 
ciation.  Other  parties  were  bargaining  for  the  ground. 

J.  O  O  O 

It  might  be  sold,  and  the  only  spot  that  then  seemed  to 
l>e  a  suitable  one  for  a  cemetery  would  be  lost  to  the 
citizens.  To  secure  it  for  that  purpose,  Mr.  Vassar7  acting 
upon  the  impulses  of  his  own  judgment,  and  at  the  solici 
tation  of  his  associates  (James  Bowne  and  Egbert  B. 

\  t"D 

Killey),  purchased  the  property  for  the  sum  of  eight 
thousand  dollars.  He  held  it  for  several  months,  waiting 
for  the  citizens  to  decide  whether  it  should  be  used  for 
a  cemetery.  He  offered  to  sell  it  for  that  purpose  at  the 
price  he  had  paid  for  it,  and  to  take  shares  in  the  stock 
of  the  proposed  association  to  the  amount  of  one  thousand 
dollars. 


In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Vassar  had  commenced  improve 
ments  of  the  property  in  a  manner  suitable  for  a  cemetery 
or  the  pleasure-grounds  of  a  private  residence.  Because 
of  the  numerous  fountains  that  were  bubbling  up  here 
and  there,  he  named  the  place  SPKTNGSIDE.  The  late  A.  J. 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


ACADEMY        STREET 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


Downing,  the  eminent  rural  architect  and  landscape-gar 
dener,  was  called  to  explore  it,  suggest  a  plan  of  avenues 
for  walks  and  drives,  and  a  design  for  a  portal  and 
porter's  lodge.  William  C.  Jones,  an  Engineer  of  the  Hud 
son  River  Railroad  Company,  made  a  correct  topograph 
ical  map  of  it  for  Mr.  Vassar.  Laborers  were  employed 
in  the  ruder  task  of  preparing  the  grounds  for  the  more 
skillful  workmen  who,  in  time,  wrought  out  that  beau 
tiful  creation  of  Nature  and  Art,  the  Springside  of  to-day. 
The  Cemetery  Association  was  formed,  but  other 
grounds,  not  far  distant,  lying  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson 
River,  were  purchased  for  its  use,  and  Mr.  Vassar  deter 
mined  to  make  Springside  a  place  of  delight  for  himself, 
his  friends,  and  his  fellow-citizens.  From  the  designs  of 
Mr.  Downing,  a  porter's  lodge,  a  cottage,  barn,  carriage- 
house,  ice-house  and  dairy-room,  granary,  an  aviary  for 
wild  and  domestic  fowls,  an  apiary,  a  spacious  conserva 
tory  and  neat  gardener's  cottage,  and  a  log  cabin  on  the 
more  prosaic  portions  of  the  domain,  where  meadows  and 
iields  of  grain  may  be  seen,  were  erected.  The  primitive 
forest-trees  on  the  knolls  were  left  to  grow  on,  untouched  ; 
the  hollows  and  ravines  were  transformed  into  beautiful 
narrow  paths  or  broad  road-  ways  ;  a  deer-park  was  laid 
out  and  peopled  with  tenants  from  the  woods;  jefo  d'eau 
and  little  hollows  tilled  with  sparkling  waters  were 
formed;  and  in  the  course  of  years  more  than  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  were  added  to  the  first  cost  of  the  then 
almost  profitless  acres.  Visitors  agree  that  those  acres, 
beautified  and  cultivated,  are  not  surpassed  by  any  spot 
in  our  country,  of  equal  area,  in  variety  of  surface,  pleasant 
views  and  vistas,  near  and  remote,  and  picturesque  effects 
everywhere. 


04  VASSAK  COLLEGE 


Let  us  go  in  and  look  at  the  pictures  from  every  point 
of  vision.  Suppose  it  to  l>e  a  "bright  day  in  blossoming 
May,  or  leafv  Juno,  or  when  the  ripening  warmth  of  the 
months  of  the  Lion  or  the  Virgin  prevails,  or  one  of  the 
delicious  Ember-days,  before  the  herald  hoar-frosts  have 
announced  the  near  approach  of  Winter.  Suppose  it  to 
be  at  the  "  Artists'  '  hour  "  of  the  day,  when  every  object 
casts  a  long  shadow  in  the  level  rays  of  the  declining  sun, 
and  the  forms  and  lines  of  nature  appear  most  distinct 
and  beautiful.  And  let  us  take  with  us  the  topographical 
ma})  on  page  <>~?,  whose  reference  figures  are  indices 
to  the  names  and  places  of  objects  to  be  seen  within 
the  domain. 

We  are  now  on  a  public  avenue  leading  south  from 
the  city,  and  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  that  overlooks  the 
outward  portions  of  Springside.  On  our  right,  nestled  at 
the  foot  of  the  sunny  slope  of  that  hill,  is  "  Woodside,11 
the  residence  of  G.  C.  Burnap,  with  its  fine  stone  mansion, 
and  fruitful  vineyard,  and  elegant  lawn  of  richest  and 
softest  verdure  ;  and  a  little  beyond  are  the  meadows  and 
groves  of  a  portion  of  Linlithgow,  the  estate  of  the  late 
Colonel  Henry  A.  Livingston.  On  our  left  and  opposite 
is  a  grassy  bank  supported  by  a  cut-stone  Avail,  fringed 
along  its  to})  with  a  trimmed  hedge  of  Arbor  Vibe 
(Thuja  oceidentalis),  or  Flat  Cedar  shrubs.  These  mark 
the  line  of  Springside  along  the  public  highway.  Twenty 
miles  before  us  we  see  the  blue  lines  of  the  Hudson 
Highlands  and  the  Fish  Kil  Mountains,  with  a  rich  farming 
country  in  the  fore  and  middle  grounds;  and  a  little  to 
the  right  we  have  glimpses  of  the  river,  and  the  pic 
turesque  country  on  its  western  borders.  Nearer  rise  the 
rugged  crags  of  Mine  Point,  covered  with  the  dark  spruce, 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


65 


the  lighter  cedar,  and  deciduous  trees  of  great  variety,  at 
the  foot  of  which  Robert  Juet,  the  journalist  of  some  of 
Hudson's  voyages,  says  the  navigator  landed,  and  com 
muned  by  signs  with  the  awed  Indians.  And  nearer 
still  are  seen  the  grounds,  in  sweet  repose,  and  the  monu 
ments  and  shrubbery,  of  the  Rural  Cemetery 


We  are  now  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  here  is  the 
south  entrance  to  Springside  (1),  with  the  Porter's  Lodge 
on  the  right.  How  pleasant  is  this  broad,  gravelly  road, 
leading  to  the  right  into  the  most  welcome  shades!  Let 
us  turn  from  it  for  a  few  minutes  and  follow  this  little 
path  to  the  left,  up  to  the  head  of  the  gourd-shaped  lake- 

9 


<)()  V  ASS  A  It    COLLEGE 

let  near  the  Lodge,  in  the  middle  of  which  you  see,  em 
bowered  in  evergreens,  the  breeding-house  of  the  water 
fowl  that  inhabit  it.  This  is  a  cool  retreat  at  the  foot  of 
Maple  Hill  (2),  from  which  we  may  observe  the  visitors 
that  ride  or  stroll  in  at  this  hour,  from  the  highway. 
What  a  delicious  1  >reeze  ! 

''  All  the  green  herbs 

Are  stirring  in  its  breath  ;   a  thousand  flowers, 
By  the  roadsides  and  borders  of  the  brook, 
Nod  gayly  to  each  other ;    glossy  leaves 
Are  twinkling  in  the  sun,  as  it'  the  dew 
Were  on  them  yet;  and  silver  waters  break 
Into  small  waves,  and  sparkle  as  it  comes." 

Let  us  go  out  again  into  the  broad  South  Avenue. 
If  we  keep  continually  to  the  right,  we  shall  pass 
every  spot  and  object  of  interest,  and  return  without 
difficulty  to  our  place  of  departure.  On  our  right,  as 
we  leave  the  foot  of  Maple  Hill,  a  conical  knoll,  covered 
mostly  witli  suwir-trees  intermingled  with  the  chestnut, 

«/  o  o 

beech,  and  a  few  oaks,  is  the  Deer-park  (<V),  through 
which  runs  a  clear  brook  fringed  with  long  grass  and 
wild  flowers.  It  is,  as  you  see,  partly  a  little  savanna, 
with  a  solitary  Norway  spruce  tree  in  its  center.  If 
we  follow  this  brook,  we  shall  soon  reach  Hock  Roost 
((>),  a  rough  mass  of  slate-rock  twenty  or  thirty  feet 
in  height,  with  a  dip  of  forty-five  degrees,  covered 
chiefly  with  oaks,  and  crowned  by  a  single  cedar  tree. 
This  path  that  leads  around  its  base  diverges  here  to 
the  right  and  crosses  the  brook,  over  a  rustic  bridge 
at  the  head  of  a  pebbly  duck-pond,  to  an  equally 
rustic  cabin  roofed  with  pantiles.  This  forms  a  covering 
for  the  deer,  in  inclement  weather,  which,  are  kept  in 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  f>7 

the  wire-girt  close  adjoining.  The  cal>in  is  overshadowed 
by  a  large  tree,  and  forms  a  picturesque  feature  in  tlie 
landscape. 

We  will  return  to  Rock  Roost,  cross  the  savanna, 
made  pleasant  by  the  sweet  odor  of  the  mown  grass, 
and  re-enter  South  Avenue  at  its  junction  with  Locust 
Grove  Drive  and  North  Avenue.  Here  is  a  beautiful 
little  pond,  reflecting  the  deep  blue  of  the  sky  above,  and 
glowing  with  gold  fishes.  Look  up  to  the  left  among 
the  trunks  and  branches  of  tall  trees  and  the  more 
modest  evergreen  shrubs,  and  see,  on  the  summit  of  this 
high  knoll,  how  weird  appear  those  huge  upright  stones, 
standing  here  like  palisades,  and  there  like  solitary  senti 
nels  guarding  some  mysterious  spot.  This  is  called  Stone- 
henge  (4),  because  of  its  suggestiveiiess  of  those  strange 
remains  of  the  Druids  found  at  a  place  of  that  name 
in  England.  These  hints  serve  to  make  us  speculate  a 
little  on  that  ancient  priesthood  that  came  from  the  far 
East,  and  held  supreme  sway  over  the  minds  of  millions 
of  the  Pagan  world.  Who  knows,  friend,  whether  they 
were  not  of  the  Zoroastrian  Magi  —  the  "Wise  men  of 
the  East r  -who  went  wondering  and  adoring  to  the 
Manger  in  Bethlehem  in  which  lay  the  infant  Redeemer? 
These  Druids  discoursed  of  the  hidden  nature  of  things; 
of  the  extent  of  the  Universe;  of  the  forms  and  motions 
of  the  stars;  of  the  virtues  of  plants,  and  of  the  essence, 
power,  and  mode  of  action  of  the  gods.  Under  huge 
oaks  they  built  their  colossal  altars,  and — -but  come, 
friend,  if  we  linger  here  the  sun  will  leave  us  in  dark 
ness  as  profound  as  that  of  the  theology  of  the  Druids; 
so  let  us  pass  on  from  this  tiny  "  Stonehenge "  and  see 
what  is  here  on  the  right  of  the  Avenue.  It  is  a  gentler 


68 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


knoll,  covered  with  the  forest  trees;  and  between  it  and 
Rock  Roost  is  a  wild,  shaded  hollow  (5),  called  Group 
(rap.  A  path  through  it  will  lead  us  hack  to  the 
brook,  so  A\re  will  pass  on  along  the  Avenue  to  the 
Cottage,  a  part  of  which  appears  above  the  tops  of  the 
little  trees  that  surround  it. 


THE  COTTAGE. 

But  what  is  this  on  our  right '?  It  is  a  charming 
grassy  hollow,  only  a  little  below  the  level  of  the 
Avenue,  open  to  the  sun,  and  surrounding  another  shady 
knoll,  thickly  covered  with  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees, 
with  groups  of  loose  stones,  over  which  vines  creep  and 
blossom.  This  open  girt  of  meadow  (7)  is  called  Little 
Belt. 

Here  is  a  gate  at  the  entrance  to  a  shaded  lane 
that  leads  up  to  the  rear  of  the  Cottage  in  which  Mr. 
Vassar  has  resided  several  summers.  How  thick  the 
evergreens  are,  and  how  odorous  their  out-breathings! 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  69 

On  each  stone  gate-post  sits  a  greyhound  of  iron,  harm 
less  in  aspect  and  nature;  but  a  little  way  up  the  path 
is  a  black-and-tan  sentinel,  giving  most  vehement  warnings 
to  the  inmates  of  the  castle  of  the  approach  of  strangers. 
Let  him  bark  to  his  heart's  content.  We  have  no  desire 
to  <ro  ii})  that  private  Avay ;  so  we  will  pass  along  Cottage 
Avenue  (0)  to  the  grounds  in  front.  Listen  a  moment 
to  the  pleasant  voices  on  the  left.  They  come  from 
the  summit  of  this  shaded  little  hill,  covered  with  large 
trees,  hemlock  saplings,  and  groups  of  stones,  among 
which  are  rustic  seats.  This  is  Knitting  Knoll  (8),  close 
by  the  Cottage,  whereon  it  is  pleasant  to  sit  and  chat 


COTTAGE  AVENUE  GATE. 


at    this    delightful    hour,  while    the    busy  fingers    make    the 
worsted  meshes  grow  into  beauteous  forms  and  tints. 

The  Cottage  Avenue  gate  is  like  the  heart  of  the 
owner — wide  open  witli  welcome  to  all  friends.  The 
Bui-mountings  of  its  stone  posts  appear  a  little  more 


70  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

formidable  than  those  of  the  other  gate.  On  one  is  a 
wild  boar  couchant,  reminding  us  of  fierceness ;  on  the 
other  a  fox  in  similar  attitude — the  accepted  token  of 
cunning*.  These  are  the  antitheses  of  the  character  of  the 

O 

Master  of  Springside. 

We  will  not  visit  the  cottage  yet,  for  we  have  a 
long  way  to  travel  before  we  may  rest;  so  let  us  turn 
a  little  back  and  follow  the  main  Avenue  to  that  arch 
way  yonder,  that  connects  a  range  of  edifices  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  road.  Here  we  are  in  the  midst  of  buildings 
of  pleasing  patterns.  On  one  hand  are  the  coach-house 
(10),  the  farm  stables  and  office  (20),  the  ice-house  and 
dairy-rooms,  and  fancy  bird-houses  (28)  with  glass  fronts; 
and  on  the  other  side  are  the  granary  (30)  and  the 
aviary  for  wild  fowls  (27),  covered  with  an  open  ceiling 
of  wire  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  birds.  Here,  at 
one  time,  might  have  been  found  a  most  interesting 
chapter  in  the  history  of  animated  nature.  Here  flashed 
a  golden  pheasant  in  the  sun ;  there  a  white  heron  per 
formed  amusing  gambols;  yonder,  beautiful  gazelles  were 
skipping ;  wood-ducks  were  sporting  in  tiny  lakes ;  a  great 
variety  of  hares  and  rabbits  were  burrowing;  peacocks 
were  strutting  in  the  pride  of  their  iridescent  plumage ; 
a  white  cockatoo  was  talking  egotistically  of  itself  as 
u  Pretty  Poll ;"  a  sociable  Mexican  pheasant,  with  eyes 
charmed  1  >y  glittering  tilings,  followed  you  everywhere ; 
and  the  whole  air  was  vocal  with  the  love-songs  of  a 

o 

hundred  doves  of  the  rarest  kind.  These  have  given 
place  to  those  sober  house-keepers,  the  domestic  fowl, 
but  of  the  most  aristocratic  families,  from  the  plump 
Bantam  of  Java  to  the  tall  gawky  of  Shanghai. 

Leaving  this    group  of    buildings,  we  enter    Dale    Ave- 


AJS'D    ITS     FOUNDER.  71 

nue  (2(J),  with  Meadow  Girt  (^5)  on  our  right,  which  is 
irrigated  ]>y  the  same  brook  that  flows  through  the  Deer- 
park.  Across  it  are  lying  the  long  shadows  of  trees  that 
deepen  the  tints  of  green  covering  its  bosom.  On  the  left, 
at  the  parting  of  the  ways,  that  tall  larch  stands  like  a 
sentinel,  its  grace  forming  a  positive  contrast  to  the 
covering  of  that  high  rockv  hill,  with  its  uncouth  com 
mingling  of  elm  and  maple,  hickory  and  birch,  chestnut 
and  ash  trees,  and  tangled  shrubs,  and  interlacing  vines 
and  "brambles — a  rude  spot,  which  the  owner  has  appro 
priately  called  Scraggy  Knoll  0*1).  Along  the  T>ase  of 
this  wild  hill,  and  all  around  to  the  plain  farm-barn  and 
out-buildings  on  the  eastern  verge  of  Meadow  Girt,  is 
Chestnut  Drive  (#7),  a  roadway  lined  on  the  right  with 
a  row  of  the  most  vigorous  of  those  oriental  trees  known 
as  the  hippocastanum,  or  horse-chestnut. 

At  the  l>arn  we  will  pass  through  a  gate,  and  take 
the  winding  road  up  to  the  summit  of  the  lofty  eminence 
on  our  right,  to  Hill  Girt  (40).  Xow  look  around  you: 
all  of  Springside  is  at  your  feet,  and  the  view  opens 
broadly  in  every  direction.  A  few  residences  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  city  are  seen  here ;  there  you  have  glimpses 
of  the  Hudson,  and  the  white  sails  upon  its  bosom  ;  and 
yonder  (how  purple  they  are!)  rise  the  Fish  Kil  and 
Canterbury  Mountains,  on  whose  summits  the  beacon-fires 
of  patriots  blazed  in  the  time  of  the  old  War  for  Inde 
pendence. 

The  sun  is  much  nearer  the  horizon  than  when  we 
started,  and  we  must  pass  on:  let  us  go  down  near  the 
barn,  and  out  into  Dale  Avenue,  by  these  clumps  of 
cedars  and  chestnuts  on  the  left  of  South  Pass  Drive  (38), 
and  that  magnificent  hemlock  that  stands  on  the  steep 


<-  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

slope  of  a  knoll.  Here,  to  the  right,  is  the  Semicircular 
Road  (41),  passing  along  the  margin  of  a  fine  orchard  of 
that  delicious  fruit  from  Corinth  which  is  seen  in  almost 
every  garden  in  the4  temperate  zone.  Here  UTOAV  some  of 
the  finest  red  and  white  currant-shrubs,  and  when  they  are 
in  blossom,  or  covered  Avith  clustering  fruit,  tliev  form  a 
pleasing  neighborhood  to  the  sparkling  Perch  Pond  (4i>) 
near  by,  which  AVC  pass  as  we  go  around  to  the  u'ate  that 
opens  into  Glen  Yale  (45).  See  what  a  pretty  holloAV 
among  gentle  hills  this  is!  It  is  watered  bv  the  same 
brook  that  we  have  met  several  times  in  our  ramble. 
Yonder,  to  the  right,  is  an  open  oak  grove,  shading  the 
smooth-shaven  sward  on  the  slope.  Here,  on  the  left,  is 
a  wild  region  called  Woody  Glen  (48),  in  which  art  has 
refrained  from  interfering  with  nature.  Everv  thing  is  left 
as  the  owner  found  it.  Among  the  trees  that  shoot  up 
from  a  thick  undergrowth  of  shrubs,  witch-hazel,  and  low 
creeping  vines,  in  which  wild  rabbits  find  homes,  squirrels 
abound;  and  there  the  drum  of  the  partridge  and  the  quail's 
call  for  "Bob  White"  may  be  heard.  It  forms  a  rude  con 
trast  to  Glen  Yale,  and  a  picturesque  background  for  Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin  (44),  pictured  on  the  map  of  Spring-side 
that  you  carry  in  your  hand.  It  is  a  comfortable  log- 
house,  covered  Avith  tiles,  in  which  live  the  family  of  the 
teamster  of  the  domain.  It  stands  at  the  edge  of  the 
wood;  and  near  it  a  private  farm-road  (4<>)  passes 
through  Mi'  Yassar's  outer  grounds  to  the  public  highway, 
south-eastward  of  the  city 

Here  we  Avill  turn  back  and  retrace  our  steps  as  far 
as  Scraggy  Knoll.  As  Ave  leave  Woody  Glen  and  the 
Perch  Pond,  the  gentle  eminences  on  our  right  are  the 
Eden  Hills  (84),  without  trees  or  shrubs,  and  enlivened  by 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


73 


a  herd  of  fine  Devonshire  cattle.  These  hills  offer  a  plea 
sant  rainl)le  on  a  cool  day  in  Autumn,  when  the  groves 
and  forests  are  clothed  in  the  gorgeous  drapery  of  mid- 
October.  Prospect  Hill  (tttt),  of  this  range,  rises  high 
above  the  others,  and  affords  an  extensive  view  of  the 
surrounding  country.  We  have  not  time  to  go  up  there 
now;  so  we  will  pass  along  to  the  foot  of  Scraggy  Knoll, 
and  take  this  road  to  the  right  ;  it  will  lead  us,  in  the 
shade  of  maple  trees,  along  the  margin  of  an  orchard  up 
to  Poplar  Summit  Drive  (^-),  on  an  eminence  of  about 


VIEW     FUOM   POPLAK     SUMMIT     DlilVE. 

the  same  altitude  as  Prospect  Hill.  Do  you  see  those  tall 
and  slender  Lombardy  poplars,  shooting  up  on  our  left 
among  the  pines  and  flat  cedars  just  above  the  orchard, 
and  with  them  forming  a  beautiful  thicket  on  the  slope  ? 
These  suggested  the  name  for  this  drive.  A  little  below 
us  we  see  the  heavy  Avail  of  the  Flower  and  Kitchen  Garden 

(25),  that  backs  the  cold  grapery  there;  and  a  little  lower 
10 


74  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

still  is  the  group  of  l>uiklings  connected  with  the  archway 
already  mentioned.  How  pleasing  is  this  view  also,  over 
looking  as  it  does  much  of  Springside,  and  some  fine 
estates  south  of  it,  and  terminating  in  the  range  of  moun 
tains  twenty  miles  distant,  of  which  Beacon  Hill  is  the 
most  lofty. 

We  will  pass  down  "by  this  evergreen  hedgerow,  and 
then  between  the  orchard  and  the  Flower  and  Kitchen 
Garden  to  Lack  Lawn  Knoll  (30),  near  the  Carriage-house. 
It  is  a  pretty  spot,  covered  witli  grass  and  shaded  by 
larches  and  pines.  The  curious  little  building  on  the  right, 
at  the  corner  of  the  garden,  is  the  Apiary,  whose  vane, 
an  enormous  golden  honey-bee  swinging  over  a  hive,  de 
notes  its  use.  We  will  pass  around  this  to  the  cottage. 
How  pleasant  is  this  carriage-way,  of  oval  form,  in  front 
of  the  house.  It  is  hemmed  in  by  lofty  ever-green  trees, 
and  its  margin  is  ornamented  with  a  series  of  comic 

o 

statuettes,  exquisitely  wrought  from  light  gray  stone,  to 
illustrate  phases  of  character  in  social  life  in  Italy,  where 
they  were  made.  At  the  pretty  Cottage  (11)  we  are 
sure  of  a  cordial  welcome. 

Not  at  home  ?  Although  it  is  near  the  close  of  this 
long  afternoon,  the  Founder  of  Yassar  College,  who  has 
been  rewarded  for  his  fidelity  in  his  stewardship  of  wealth 
by  length  of  days  and  the  full  consummation  of  his 
designs  and  wishes,  has  not  yet  returned  from  his  accus 
tomed  visit  to  the  stately  memorial  of  his  beneficence,  in 
the  work  of  which  his  heart  is  so  warmly  sympathetic. 
So  we  will  pass  on  to  the  Grapery  and  Greenhouse  grounds 
(22),  and  the  Gardeners  cottage  (23),  either  by  Cottage 
Avenue  around  Stonehenge,  or  by  this  beautiful  wind 
ing  path  to  the  right,  so  closely  fringed  on  one  side  with 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


75 


a   dark   hemlock   hedge,  and   on   the    other  by   pine,  larch, 
and  cedar  trees. 

We  will  follow  the  path.     How  pleasantly  the  grounds 
open   before    us    on   that    gentle    slope   on  which   the    Con- 


servatory  stands  with  its  crys 
tal  roofs,  covering  in  Winter 
clusters  ot  luscious  grapes,  many 
rare  exotics,  and  domestic  flow 
ering  shrubs  and  plants  in 
great  abundance.  Xow,  these 
are  all  out  upon  the  grounds 

around,  beautifying  a  hundred  places,  and  loading  this 
evening  air  with  fragrance.  Delicately  Barry  Cornwall 
says— 


TUB  CONSERVATORY  AND  GARDENER'S 
COTTAGE. 


"  Like  sweet  thoughts  that  come 
Winged  from  the  maiden  fancy,  and  fly  off 
In  music  to  the  skies,  and  there  are  lost, 
These  ever-steaming  odors  seek  the  sun, 
And  fade  in  the  light  he  scatters." 


Here  is  a  narrow  lane  with    a  wall   of  neatly  trimmed 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


THE  PAGODA. 


cedar  slirul>s  on  eacli  side,  higher  than  our  heads.  Let  ns 
see  where  and  to  what  surprise  it  will  lead  ns.  Have  the 
almond-eyed  Celestials  been  here  ?  Have  the  degenerate 

«/  o 

disciples  of  Confucius  been  plant 
ing  a  little  seed  of  paganism  in 
Springside?  This  little  Pagoda 
(24)  makes  ns  think  of  the  far 
Orient,  where,  in  secluded  places 
like  this,  little  temples  are  sacred 
shrines.  But  wliere  is  the  idol? 
Ask  the  lovers  who  have  strolled 
through  these  beautiful  grounds 
and  rested  beneath  this  little 
roof.  They  have  seen  and  wor 
shiped  it  here  in  human  form 
and  substance,  though  it  may  be  invisible  to  us. 

Still  farther  on  this  secluded  pathway  leads  us.  It 
winds  gently  upward,  and  leaves  us  among  the  rude 
rocks  of  Stonehenge.  Here,  on  this  immense  bench  of 
graywacke,  we  may  rest  a  few  minutes,  for  the  sun  yet 
lingers  above  the  horizon,  and  our  pleasant  ramble  is 
nearly  ended.  Sounds  of  mirth  come  up  from  the  Deer- 
park  below,  where  a  bevy  of  girls  are  gathering  wild  flow 
ers.  Did  Francis  Sachetti  have  a  scene  like  this  for  his 
inspirations  when  he  said  in  rhyme — 


Walking  and  musing  in  a  wood,  I  saw 

Some  ladies  gathering  flowers — now  this,  now  t'other, — 

And  crying  in  delight  to  one  another, 

'Look  here,  look  here!  what's  this?    a  fleur-de-lis, 

Oh !  get  some  violets  there  ; — 

No,  no, — some  roses  farther  onward  there  ; 

How  beautiful  they  are  ! 

Oh  me!   those  thorns  do  prick  so — only  see! — 

Not  that — the  other — reach  it  me. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  77 

Hallo,  Hallo !   what  is  it  leaping  so  ? 
A  grasshopper!  a  grasshopper  I"1 

This  rude  wood-path  leads  us  down  to  the  little  pond 
already  mentioned,  where  the  gold  fishes  live,  and  we  find 
a  beautiful  open  hollow  ]>efore  us,  called  Center  Circle 
(21),  around  which  passes  a  fine  avenue.  From  this  road 
the  eye  is  continually  charmed  by  pleasant  surprises.  The 
Circle  is  hemmed  in  by  rows  and  groups  of  evergreen  and 
deciduous  trees,  and  above  these  tower  loftilv  a  lar^e  oak 

\l  O 

and  two  huge  black- walnut  trees.  Yonder  is  seen  a  heap 
of  stones  almost  hidden  by  running  roses;  and  all  about 
us  are  sweet  flowering  shrubs.  In  the  center  is  a  jet  of 
water,  falling  into  two  basins  and  a  pool,  one  above  the 
other,  in  sparkling  cascades.  Around  these  are  vases  filled 
with  flowers ;  and  between  them  and  the  road  is  a  lawn 
covered  with  soft  grass. 

On  completing  the  Circle,  we  come  to  the  Villa  Site 
(!<)),  and  Lawn  Terrace  (17),  on  the  right.  Let  us  climb 
this  bank  of  greensward.  How  pretty  is  this  semicircular 
lawn,  ten  feet  above  the  carriage-way,  and  fringed  with 
young  pine  and  spruce  trees.  Twenty  or  thirty  feet  higher 
is  the  Villa  Site,  on  which  Mr.  Vassar  contemplated  build 
ing  a  residence  for  himself  and  family.  It  is  dotted  with 
ancient  apple-trees,  and  commands  some  pleasant  distant 
views  of  the  river,  and  the  country  on  its  borders,  and  of 
Springside  near.  From  this  hill  we  may  go  down  a  steep, 
rough  bank,  through  a  grove  of  locusts,  to  Walnut  Row 
(14),  where  another  beautiful  lawn  lies  basking  in  the 
evening  sun,  on  the  outer  border  of  the  domain. 

Turn  now  a  little  to  the  left,  by  these  ancient  cherry- 
trees,  and  see  how  grandly  this  giant  sycamore — one  of 
the  primitive  sons  of  the  forest — rises  above  the  surround- 


78 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


ing  trees,  and  spreads  its  sheltering  branches  over  the 
spring  at  its  foot.  In  this  overshadowing  it  is  assisted  by 
an  ancient  willow,  on  the  other  side  of  the  spring  that 
bubbles  up  in  copious  measure  beneath  that  arch  of  ma 
sonry,  on  the  top  of  which  reposes  the  iron  image  of  a 
watch-dog.  Delicious  is  the  draught  of  water  from  its 
cool  reservoir;  and  Are  turn  away  refreshed  as  we  follow 
Willow  Spring  Walk  (15)  out  to  Locust  Grove  Drive 
(18),  that  conies  up  between  the  Ever-green  Parks  (19-20). 


WILLOW  SPRING. 


This  walk  is  shaded  by  the  Salix  Babylonica,  or  Weeping 
Willow,  and  leads  out  by  a  flower-vase  to  the  head  of  Jet 
Vale  Path  (13),  by  which  we  will  go  down  to  one  of  the 
most  secluded  and  beautiful  places  in  Springside.  Here, 
between  the  Ever-green  Parks  and  Maple  Hill,  the  water 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


79 


that  flows  down  from  Willow  Spring  leaps  up  from  the 
mouth  of  an  image  of  a  fluttering  swan,  and,  falling  in 
drops  and  spray,  forms  a  sparkling  pool  around  it.  How 
truly  charming  is  this  cool  place  at  the  evening  hour ! 
Every  thing  around  us  is  in  shadow,  and  the  exhalations  of 


JET  VALE  FOUNTAIN. 


flowers  burden  the  air  with  fragrance.  Through  the  inter 
lacing  branches  where  the  golden  sunlight  is  playing,  we 
have  glimpses  of  the  Summer-house  ("12)  on  the  little  hill 
by  the  highway  around  which  Summit  Avenue  passes, 


80  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

and  this  is  all  we  may  see  of  the  world  without,  excepting 
the  sky  above  us  and  the  illuminated  tops  of  distant  trees. 
There  is  here  a  repose  and  an  aspect  that  may  remind  us 
of  the  poet's  description  of  the  place 

u  Where  our  primeval  Parents  found  sweet  rest." 
Milton  says — 

******    It  Was  a  place 

Chosen  by  the   Sovereign   Planter,  when  lie  framed 
All  things  to  man's  delightful  use  :    the  roof 
Of  thickest   covert  was  inwoven   shade, 
Laurel  and   myrtle,  and  what  higher  grew 
Of  firm  and  fragrant  leaf;    on    cither  side 
Acanthus,  and  each  odorous  bushy  shrub 
Fenced  up  the  verdant  wall ;    each  beauteous  flower, 
Iris  all  hues,  roses,   and  jessamine, 

Reared    high   with  flourished  heads  between,  and  wrought 
Mosaic  ;    under  foot  the  violet, 
Crocus,  and  hyacinth,  with  rich  inlay 
Broidered    the  ground,  more  colored  than  with  stone 
Of  costliest  emblem." 

This  little  path  to  the  left  will  lead  us  down  to  the 
Porter's  Lodge,  and  this  one  up  to  the  Summer-house, 
where  we  may  watch  the  sun  as  it  goes  down  behind  the 
western  hills.  Is  it  a  familiar  sight  ?  Very  well ;  then 
we  will  walk  along  this  winding  path  to  South  Avenue 

o  o      1 

and  the  portal,  and  go  out  into  the  highway  homeward 
bound,  with  the  treasures  of  the  delightful  experience  of  a 
summer  evening  ramble  in  SPKINGSIDE. 

During  the  years  while  cares  of  business,  and  public 
duties,  and  the  delights  of  Springside,  as  it  developed 
into  greater  perfection,  were  occupying  much  of  Mr.  Vas- 
sar's  thoughts  and  time,  he  had  not  been  unmindful  of 
his  generous  resolutions  concerning  the  disposition  of  a 
large  portion  of  his  fortune.  His  project  of  benevolent 


AND    ITS    FOUNDKR.  Ml 

action,  though  not  yet  possessing  definite  shape,  remained 
a  fixed  purpose,  and  was  the  subject  of  frequent  conversa 
tion  with  his  most  intimate  friends,  for  lie  had  determined 
to  execute  it  during  his  lifetime.  At  length  his  niece, 
who  had  planted  and  fostered  in  his  mind  the  idea  of 
founding  a  model  School  for  young  women,  died  suddenly. 
Cottage  Hill  Seminary  was  closed ;  and  for  a  while  the 
subject  of  the  education  of  woman  was  less  in  Mr.  Vassar's 
thoughts  as  a  practical  matter  than  the  founding  of  a  hos 
pital.  The  latter  object  commanded  his  most  serious  atten 
tion,  and  he  had  taken  important  steps  preliminary  to 
the  establishment,  in  Poughkeepsie,  of  an  extensive  asylum 
for  the  comfort  and  cure  of  the  sick,  when  circumstances 
turned  the  tide  of  his  thoughts  and  desires  again  in 
a  strong  current  toward  the  great  work  proposed  by  his 
niece. 

In  the  Spring  of  1855,  Cottage  Hill  Seminary  was  pur 
chased  and  reopened  by  Professor  M.  P.  Jewett,  who  had 
been  for  several  years  at  the  head  of  a  large  school  for 
young  women  in  Alabama,  known  as  the  "  Judson  Female 
Institute."  He  united  himself  in  fellowship  with  the  con 
gregation  of  the  Central  Baptist  Church,  of  which  Mr. 
Vassal'  was  an  active  member,  and  between  them  the  most 
friendly  and  confidential  relations  were  soon  formed. 
When  the  topic  that  occupied  so  much  of  Mr.  Vassar's 
thoughts  became  a  subject  of  conversation  between  them, 
Dr.  Jewett  suggested  that  he  might  become  a  greater 

Oo  o  o 

benefactor  to  his  race  by  erecting  and  endowing  a  college 
for  young  women — an  institution  that  should  be  to  their 
sex  what  Yale  and  Harvard  are  to  our  own — than  by 
any  other  act.  Here  was  the  noble  idea  of  Miss  Booth 
amplified.  The  project  at  once  commended  itself  to  Mr. 
11 


82  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Vassar' s  judgment,  and  awakened  a  desire  to  cany  it  out 
on  a  scale  commensurate  witli  his  generous  impulses. 

Millions  of  dollars  had  ]>eeii  spent  in  founding  and 
building  up  the  numerous  colleges  for  young  men  in  the 
United  States,  while  not  a  single  college  for  young  women 
had  l>een  established.  The  need  of  such  institutions  Avas 
felt  by  many  of  the  best  educators  in  the  country,  and 
had  begun  to  occupy  the  serious  attention  of  statesmen 
and  philanthropists.  The  importance  of  the  thorough  edu 
cation  of  women  in  every  department  of  learning  is  a 
manifest  necessity  in  our  land,  whose  free  institutions  rest, 
or  should  rest,  on  the  solid  foundations  of  the  virtue  and 
intelligence  of  the  people.  Lord  Brougham  made  the  wise 
and  indisputable  assertion,  that  "the  character  and  destiny 
of  human  beings  are  generally  fixed  before  the  child  is 
ten  years  of  a^e."  That  character  and  destiny  are  almost 

«/  o  «/ 

always  molded,  in  the  largest  degree,  by  the  mother,  for 
she  is  the  "prophet,  priest,  and  king7'  of  the  household  to 
the  trusting  little  child,  and  commands  its  faith,  reverence, 
and  obedience.  Pressing,  then,  is  the  need  of  her  thorough 
preparation  for  the  triple  duty,  by  the  acquirement  of 
that  power  which  comes  from  the  most  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  "things  temporal  and  things  spiritual." 

Already,  in  response  to  the  mute  but  potential  appeals 
of  that  need,  the  "  American  Woman's  Educational  Asso 
ciation"  had  been  formed  in  the  City  of  New  York,  whose 
avowed  object  was  to  secure  to  American  women  a 
liberal  education,  by  the  establishment  of  permanent 
endowed  institutions  for  the  young  of  their  sex  that 
should  embrace  the  leading  features  of  colleges  for  young 
men.  Already  schools  had  been  put  in  successful  opera 
tion  by  that  society.  The  Baptists  of  Massachusetts  had 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  83 

also  practically  acknowledged  the  need,  by  establishing  the 
u  Ladies1  Collegiate  Institute,11  at  Worcester,  in  that  State, 
with  an  endowment  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars: 
and  other  denominations  were  considering  not  only  the 
propriety,  but  the  necessity,  of  founding  and  endowing 
similar  institutions. 

Mr.  Vassar  clearly  perceived  that  the  time  wras  auspi 
cious  for  him  to  act.  lie  was  offered  the  opportunity 
of  leading  in  a  cause  of  enlightened  benevolence  of  the 
most  profound  interest  to  his  country  and  mankind,  in 
which  numbers  might  follow,  but  none  might  go  before. 
To  him  were  proffered  the  high  privilege  and  the  peculiar 
honor  of  actually  establishing  and  putting  into  operation 
the  first  grand,  permanent,  endowed  college  for  Young 
Women  ever  projected,  and  he  gladly  accepted  the  boon, 
with  a  sincere  desire  to  become  a  real  public  benefactor. 
While  considerations  of  personal  honor  to  be  gained  by 
the  act  could  not  alone  have  excited  his  ambition 
with  a  craving  appetite  for  such  aliment,  he  would  have 
been  less  or  more  than  human  if  the  expectation  of  such 
honor  had  not  been  a  stimulant  to  action ;  for,  as  Young 
says— 

"The  love  of  praise,  howe'er  concealed  by  art, 
Reigns  more  or  less  in  every  human  heart. 
The  proud,  to  gain  it,  toils  on  toils  endure; 
The  modest  shun  it  but  to  make  it  sure/' 

And    Spenser,    the     polished     limner    of    human   nature, 
significantly  inquires — 

"Who  would  ever  care  to  do  brave  deed, 

Or  strive  in  virtue  others  to  excel, 
If  none  should  yield  him  his  deserved  meed, 
Due  praise,  that  is  the  spur  of  doing  well? 
For  if  good  were  not  praised  more  than  ill, 
None  would  choose  goodness  of  his  own  free  will.1' 


84  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Mi\  Vassar  was  always  an  eminently  practical  man, 
and  his  wisdom  and  prudence  were  never  more  conspicu 
ous  than  in  his  slow  and  cautious  approach  to  a  conclu 
sion  upon  a  subject  of  such  vast  importance  as  that 
which  now  occupied  his  most  anxious  thoughts.  Satisfied 
of  that  importance  in  a  moral,  social,  and  political  point 
of  view,  he  brought  the  whole  matter  to  the  test  of 
practical  business  calculations;  for  every  human  enterprise 
needs  human  sustenance,  and  upon  that  sustenance,  formed 
after  the  fashion  of  the  laws  of  trade,  its  life  depends. 
A  correspondence,  oral  and  epistolary,  was  opened  with 
some  of  the  leading  educators  of  the  land,  and  among 
them  Professor  Jewett  was  one  of  his  most  frequent  and 
confidential  advisers.  To  the  eminent  school  architect, 
the  late  Thomas  A.  Teift,  then  residing  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  Dr.  Jewett  submitted  in  writing  a  general 
description  of  a  building  or  buildings  that  might  accom 
modate  four  hundred  pupils,  with  a  full  complement  of 
Professors  and  Tutors;  and  from  him  he  procured  designs, 
and  estimates  of  cost.  These  were  submitted  to  Mr. 
Vassar's  rigid  scrutiny,  and  the  result  was  a  determina 
tion  on  his  part  to  erect  and  endow,  during  his  life 
time,  a  college  for  Young  Women,  on  a  magnificent 
scale,  in  the  most  perfect  manner,  and  upon  the  most 
liberal  basis,  in  which  neither  sect  nor  creed  should  have 
a  controlling  influence,  as  such.  He  was  warmly  attached 
to  the  Baptists  by  life-long  associations,  and  a  greater 
number  of  educated  men  and  educators  whom  he  con 
sulted  about  his  projected  enterprise  were  of  that  denomi 
nation  ;  but  when  it  wras  proposed  to  have  the  college 
placed  under  the  general  control  of  Baptists,  Mr.  Vassar's 
more  catholic  spirit  instantly  and  emphatically  dissented. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  85 

And  in  Ids  address  to  the  Trustees  of  the  College,  at 
the  organization  of  the  Board,  five  years  later,  he  expressed 
his  A vislies  on  that  point  decidedly,  in  the  following  brief 
sentence,  which  is  here  given  in  a  fac-simile  of  his  hand 
writing  when,  lie  was  seventy-five  years  of  age. 


Qstf/P  Je  da  r/ctii/  ixAuien  ce4  /fAcu  fc/  oe 
e^c Ci i  elect ;    <ou4f/fte   foci  t}iin)  &£ cur  J ' liTcten 


<?- 


Time  passed  on.  Mr.  Vassar  wished  to  have  his  two 
nephews  (Matthew  and  John  Gruy  Vassar,  who  were  yet 
his  business  partners,  and  each,  like  himself,  childless  and 
the  possessor  of  a  large  fortune)  associated  with  him  in 
the  enterprise,  that  they  might  share  with  him  the  delight 
ful  task  and  the  deserved  honors  incident  to  the  execution 
of  his  beneficent  design;  for,  if  it  should  be  successful, 
it  would  be  an  everlasting  memorial  of  the  Vassar  name. 
That  earnest  desire  of  his  heart  was  not  gratified ;  and 
he  proceeded  to  plant  the  seed,  and  reap  the  bountiful 
harvest  of  blessings  which  springs  from  well-doing,  with 
out  their  co-operation. 

This  conclusion  was  reached  in  the  Spring  of  I860, 
and  Mr.  Vassar,  then  nearly  seventy  years  of  age, 
determined  to  carry  out  his  long-cherished  plan  at  once. 
Dr.  Jewett  was  chosen  to  be  his  chief  co-worker  in  the 
great  labor.  That  he  might  devote  his  whole  time  to 
the  task,  he  sold  the  Cottage  Hill  Seminary  property, 
and  relinquished  the  school  at  the  close  of  the  Summer 


80  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

term.  An  extensive  correspondence  on  the  subject  of  the 
college,  personal  and  by  writing,  was  kept  up  during 
the  Autumn,  and  preparations  were  made  for  procuring 
a  charter  for  the  projected  College  from  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  New  York.  The  charters  of  a  large 
imm]>er  of  institutions  of  learning  in  the  United  States, 

o 

for  both  sexes,  were  carefully  examined;  and  these  labors 
resulted  in  the  draft  of  a  bill  by  Mr.  Swan,  who,  during 
all  the  years  of  inquiry  and  discussion  of  the  subject 
of  Mr.  Vassar1  s  beneficent  projects,  had  been  one  of  his 
most  friendly  counselors.  It  was  a  model  of  brevity 
and  comprehensiveness.  In  it  the  name  of  "Vassar 
Female  College "  was  given  to  the  projected  institution. 
That  name  was  changed  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature 
011  the  first  day  of  February,  ISO 7,  at  the  request  of  the 


YASSAK  COLLEGE  SEAL. 


Board  of  Trustees,  by  the  omission  of  the  word  "  Female." 
The  corporate  title  is  now  VASSAII  COLLEGE. 

When  the  Bill  was  introduced  in  the  Legislature,  and 
the  greatness  of  Mr.  Vassar's  plans  was  made  apparent,  the 
liveliest  interest,  amounting  to  enthusiasm,  was  manifested. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  87 

Leading  meml>ers  of  both  Houses  paid  eloquent  tributes 
of  praise  to  the  projector,  and  warmly  eulogized  this  exhi 
bition  of  a  noble  spirit  and  almost  princely  munificence. 
The  reporters  of  the  principal  daily  newspapers  of  the 
State  sent  abroad  from  the  Capitol  the  most  glowing 
details  of  the  novel  and  magnificent  enterprise ;  and  the 
attention  of  the  whole  country  was  soon  directed  to 
Poughkeepsie  and  the  Founder  of  Yassar  College.  The 
act  for  its  incorporation  passed  on  the  18th  of  January, 
1<S()1,  having  been  pressed  through  both  Houses  in 
advance  of  all  other  bills.  It  was  the  first  or  second  bill 
of  that  session  of  the  Legislature  that  received  the  signa 
ture  of  the  Governor,  Edwin  D.  Morgan,  and  became  a 
law. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Charter:— 

A  1ST      ACT 

TO    INCORPORATE    YASSAR    FEMALE    COLLEGE. 

Passed    January    18th,      1861. 

The  People  of  the    State  of  New    York,    represented   in  /Senate  and   Assembly, 
do  enact  as  folloics  : 

SECTIOX  1.  Mutthe\v  Vassar.  Ira  Harris,  William  Kelly,  James  Harper,  Martin 
B.  Anderson,  John  Thompson,  Edward  Lathrop,  Charles  W.  Swift,  E.  L.  Magoon. 
S.  M.  Buckingham,  Milo  P.  Jewett,  Xathan  Bishop,  Matthew  Yassar,  Jr.,  Benson 
J.  Los>ing,  E.  G.  Robinson,  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  S.  S.  Constant,  John  Guy 
Vassar,  "William  Hague,  Rufus  Babcock,  Cornelius  Dubois,  John  II.  Raymond, 
Morgan  L.  Smith.  Cyrus  Swan.  George  W.  Sterling,  George  T.  Pierce,  Smith 
Sheldon,  Joseph  C.  Doughty,  and  A.  L.  Allen,  are  hereby  constituted  a  body 
corporate,  by  the  name  of  k%  Yassar  Female  College,"  to  be  located  in  Duchess 
county,  near  the  city  of  Poughkeepsie.  By  that  name  the  said  corporation 
shall  have  perpetual  succession,  with  power  to  fill  vacancies  as  they  may  occur 
from  time  to  time  in  their  board,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  contract  and  be  con 
tracted  with,  to  make  and  use  a  common  seal  and  to  alter  the  same  at  pleasure, 
to  purchase,  take,  and  hold,  by  gift,  grant,  or  devise,  subject  to  "  an  Act  re 
lating  to  wills,*'  passed  April  loth,  1800,  except  in  the  case  of  Matthew  Vassar, 
herein  named,  and  to  dispose  of,  any  real  and  personal  property,  the  yearly 
income  or  revenue  of  which  shall  not  exceed  the  value  of  forty  thousand  dollars. 

?  2.  The  object  and  purpose  of  said  corporation  are  hereby  declared  to  be, 
to  promote  the  education  of  young  women  in  literature,  science,  and  the  arts. 


VASSAK    COLLEGE 

§  3.  The  college  may  grant  to  students  under  its  charge  diplomas  or  hon 
orary  testimonials,  in  sncli  form  as  it  may  designate.  It  may  also  grant  and 
confer  such  honors,  degrees,  and  diplomas  as  are  granted  by  any  university, 
college,  or  seminary  of  learning  in  the  United  States. 

§  4.  Diplomas  granted  by  the  college  shall  entitle  the  possessors  to  the 
immunities  and  privileges  allowed  by  usage  or  statute  to  the  possessors  of  like 
diplomas  from  any  university,  college,  or  seminary  of  learning  in  this  State. 

§  5.  The  persons  named  in  the  first  section  of  this  act  shall  be  the  first  trustees 
of  the  said  corporation.  The  president  of  the  college,  while  holding  office, 
shall  be  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

§  6.  Xine  trustees  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business  ;  but 
no  real  estate  shall  be  bought  or  sold,  and  no  president  or  professor  of  the  college 
shall  be  appointed  or  removed,  except  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  a  majority 
of  all  the  trustees. 

§  7.  The  corporation  shall  Lave  all  such  powers,  and  be  subject  to  such 
duties  and  liabilities  as  are  applicable  to  colleges,  and  are  specified  or  contained 
in  the  second  and  fifth  articles  of  the  first  title  of  the  fifteenth  chapter  of  the 
first  part  of  the  revised  statutes,  and  in  title  third,  chapter  eighteen  of  the 
same  part  of  the  revised  statutes,  except  so  far  as  the  same  are  inconsistent 
with  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

§  8.  Matthew  Vassar,  of  Poughkeepsie,  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered 
to  give,  grant,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  aforesaid  corporation,  by  his  last 
will  and  testament,  or  otherwise,  any  such  portion  of  his  estate  as  lie  may 
choose  so  to  give,  grant,  devise,  or  bequeath,  any  existing  act  or  statute  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding. 

§  9.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

The  twenty-eight  persons  chosen  by  Mr.  Vassar  to  con 
stitute  the  "  body  corporate "  of  the  College,  and  to  I  >e  its 
first  Trustees  and  his  co-workers  in  the  enterprise,  were 
all  his  personal  friends.  One-half  of  them  were  his  fellow- 
townsmen  ;  and  it  so  happened  that  a  majority  of  them 
were  Baptists,  some  of  whom  were  leading  clergymen  and 
public  educators  of  that  denomination.  This  was  an  acci 
dental  result  of  his  choice,  occurring  because  Mr.  Vassar's 
principal  associates  among  men  of  learning  were  of  that 
branch  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  was  not  a  sign  that  the 
College  would  be,  in  any  degree,  specially  influenced  by 
men  of  any  particular  religious  sect.  And  it  is  just  praise 
of  the  institution  to  record,  at  the  close  of  its  second  Colle 
giate  year,  that  in  the  practical  workings  of  its  system  of 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


89 


90 


VASSAll    COLLEGE 


^  *^^^^LJ^?^^ 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  91 

education  and  moral  and  religious  training,  the  pupils 
might  never  know,  from  their  teachings  alone,  to  what 
denomination  of  the  Christian  Church  the  Professors  and 
Tutors  belong. 

Immediately  after  the  act  of  incorporation  became  a 
law,  Mr.  Vassar,  over  his  own  signature,  informed  the 
several  persons  named  in  the  Charter  of  the  fact,  and  of 
their  appointment ;  and  they  were  requested  to  meet  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Board  of  Trustees,  and  adopt 
ing  measures  for  carrying  forward  the  great  enterprise. 
They  assembled,  pursuant  to  public  notice,  in  the  parlor 
of  the  Gregory  (now  Morgan)  House,  in  the  city  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  on  the  26th  of  February,  1861.  After  a  prayer 
by  the  Reverend  Edward  Lathrop,  D.  D.,  of  New  York 
City,  a  Board  of  Trustees  was  organized,  by  the  election 
of  the  Honorable  William  Kelly,  Chairman,  and  Cyrus 
Swan,  Secretary.  When  this  result  was  announced, 
Matthew  Vassar,  the  Founder  of  the  College,  arose  and 
read  to  the  Trustees  the  following  statement  of  his  views 
and  wishes  : 

"GENTLEMEN: — As  my  long-cherished  purpose — to  apply  a  large  portion  of 
my  estate  to  some  benevolent  object — is  no\v  about  to  be  accomplished,  it  seems 
proper  that  I  should  submit  to  you  a  statement  of  my  motives,  views,  and  wishes. 

"  It  having  pleased  God  that  I  should  have  no  descendants  to  inherit  my 
property,  it  has  long  been  my  desire,  after  suitably  providing  for  those  of  my 
kindred  who  have  claims  on  me,  to  make  such  a  disposition  of  my  means  as 
should  best  honor  God  and  benefit  my  fellow-men.  At  different  periods  I  have 
regarded  various  plans  with  favor,  but  these  have  all  been  dismissed  one  after 
another,  until  the  SUBJECT  OF  ERECTING  AND  ENDOWING  A  COLLEGE  FOR  THE 
EDUCATION  OF  YOUNG  WOMEN  was  presented  for  my  consideration.  The  nov 
elty,  grandeur,  and  benignity  of  the  idea  arrested  my  attention.  The  more 
carefully  I  examined  it.  the  more  strongly  it  commended  itself  to  my  judg 
ment  and  interested  my  feelings. 

'•  It  occurred  to  me,  that  woman,  having  received  from  her  Creator  the  same 
intellectual  constitution  as  man,  has  the  same  right  as  man  to  intellectual 
culture  and  development. 

u  I  considered  that  the  MOTHERS  of  a  country  mold  the  character  of  its 
citizens,  determine  its  institutions,  and  shape  its  destiny. 


yy  V  ASS  A II    COLLEGE 

"  Next  to  the  influence  of  the  mother,  is  that  of  the  FEMALE  TEACHER,  who 
is  employed  to  train  young  children  at  a  period  when  impressions  are  most 
vivid  and  lasting. 

"  It  also  seemed  to  me,  that  if  woman  were  properly  educated,  some  new 
avenues  to  useful  and  honorable  employment,  in  entire  harmony  with  the  gentle 
ness  and  modesty  of  her  sex,  might  he  opened  to  her. 

"  It  further  appeared,  there  is  not  in  our  country,  there  is  not  in  the  world, 
so  far  as  is  known,  a  single  fully  endowed  institution  for  the  education  of  women. 

"It  was  also  in  evidence  that,  for  the  last  thirty  years,  the  standard  of 
education  for  the  sex  has  been  constantly  rising  in  the  United  States;  and  the 
great,  felt,  pressing  want  has  been  ample  endowments,  to  secure  to  Female 
Seminaries  the  elevated  character,  the  stability  and  permanency  of  our  best 
Colleges. 

u  And  now,  gentlemen,  influenced  by  these  and  similar  considerations 
after  devoting  my  best  powers  to  the  study  of  the  subject  for  a  number  of  years 
past;  after  duly  weighing  the  objections  against  it,  and  the  arguments  that 
preponderate  in  its  favor;  and  the  project  having  received  the  warmest  com 
mendations  of  many  prominent  literary  men  and  practical  educators,  as  well 
as  the  universal  approval  of  the  public  press,  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion, 
that  the  establishment  and  endowment  of  a  College  for  the  education  of  young 
women  is  a  work  which  will  satisfy  my  highest  aspirations,  and  will  be,  under 
God,  a  rich  blessing  to  this  city  and  State,  to  our  country  and  the  world. 

"It  is  my  hope  to  be  the  instrument,  in  the  hands  of  Providence,  of  found 
ing  and  perpetuating  an  Institution  which  shall  accomplish  for  young  women 
what  our  colleges  are  accomplishing  for  young  men. 

"  In  pursuance  of  this  design,  I  have  obtained  from  the  Legislature  an  act 
of  incorporation,  conferring  on  the  proposed  Seminary  the  corporate  title  of 
'Vassar  Female  College,'  and  naming  you,  gentlemen,  as  the  first  Trustees. 
Under  the  provisions  of  this  charter  you  are  invested  with  all  the  powers, 
privileges,  and  immunities  which  appertain  to  any  College  or  University  in 
this  State. 

"  To  be  somewhat  more  specific  in  the  statement  of  my  views  as  to  the 
character  and  aims  of  the  College  : 

"I  wish  that  the  course  of  study  should  embrace  at  least  the  following 
particulars:  The  English  Language  and  its  Literature;  other  Modern  Lan 
guages  ;  the  Ancient  Classics,  so  far  as  may  be  demanded  by  the  spirit  of  the 
times;  the  Mathematics,  to  such  an  extent  as  may  be  deemed  advisable;  all  the 
branches  of  Natural  Science,  with  full  apparatus,  cabinets,  collections,  and  con 
servatories  for  visible  illustration  ;  Anatomy,  Physiology,  and  Hygiene,  with 
practical  reference  to  the  laws  of  the  health  of  the  sex ;  Intellectual  Phi 
losophy;  the  elements  of  Political  Economy;  some  knowledge  of  the  Federal 
and  State  Constitutions  and  Laws;  Moral  Science,  particularly  as  bearing  on 
the  filial,  conjugal,  and  parental  relations;  ..Esthetics,  as  treating  of  the 
beautiful  in  Nature  and  Art,  and  to  be  illustrated  by  an  extensive  Gallery  of 
Art ;  Domestic  Economy,  practically  taught,  so  far  as  is  possible,  in  order  to 
prepare  the  graduates  readily  to  become  skillful  housekeepers  ;  last,  and  most 
important  of  all,  the  daily,  systematic  Reading  and  Study  of  the  Holy  Scrip 
tures,  as  the  only  and  all-sufficient  Rule  of  Christian  faith  and  practice. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  03 

"  All  sectarian  influences  should  be  carefully  excluded  ;  but  the  training  of 
our  students  should  never  be  intrusted  to  the  skeptical,  the  irreligious,  or  the 
immoral. 

uln  forming  the  tirst  Board  of  Trustees,  I  have  selected  representatives 
from  the  principal  Christian  denominations  among  us;  and  in  filling  the  vacan 
cies  which  may  occur  in  this  body,  as  also  in  appointing  the  Professors, 
Teachers,  and  other  Officers  of  the  College,  I  trust  a  like  catholic  spirit  will 
always  govern  the  Trustees. 

;>  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  make  VASSAR  FEMALE  COLLEGE  a  charity  school, 
whose  advantages  shall  be  free  to  all  without  charge;  for  benefits  so  cheaply 
obtained  are  cheaply  held;  but  it  is  believed  the  funds  of  the  Institution  will 
enable  it  to  offer  to  all  the  highest  educational  facilities  at  a  moderate  expense, 
as  compared  with  the  cost  of  instruction  in  existing  seminaries.  I  earnestly 
hope  the  funds  will  also  prove  sufficient  to  warrant  the  gratuitous  admission  of 
a  considerable  number  of  indigent  students,  annually — at  least,  by  regarding 
the  amount  remitted,  in  most  cases,  as  a  loan,  to  be  subsequently  repaid  from 
the  avails  of  teaching,  or  otherwise.  Preference  should  be  given  to  beneficia 
ries  of  decided  promise — such  as  are  likely  to  distinguish  themselves  in  some 
particular  department  or  pursuit — and,  especially,  to  those  who  propose  to 
engage  in  the  teaching  of  the  young  as  a  profession. 

u  I  desire  that  the  College  may  be  provided  with  commodious  buildings, 
containing  ample  apartments  for  public  instruction,  and  at  the  same  time 
affording  to  the  inmates  the  safety,  quiet,  privacy,  and  purity  of  the  family. 

11  And  now,  gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  I  transfer  to  your  posses 
sion  and  ownership  the  real  and  personal  property  which  I  have  set  apart 
for  the  accomplishment  of  my  designs."" 

While  Mr.  Vassar  was  reading  this  statement,  he  stood 
at  the  end  of  a  table  at  which  sat  the  Chairman  and  Secre 
tary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Near  him,  on  the  table,  was 
a  small  tin  box,  which  contained  the  funds  appropriated 
for  the  founding  of  the  College,  represented  by  bonds  and 
morto'ao'es.  certificates  of  stock,  and  a  deed  of  conveyance 

o   o  «/ 

of  two  hundred    acres  of  land  for  a  College  site  and  farm. 

o 

When  he  pronounced  the  last  sentence  above  quoted,  the 
Trustees  arose.  Mr.  Vassar  had  placed  his  left  hand  on 
the  precious  casket,  and,  with  its  key  in  the  open  palm 
of  his  right  hand,  he  then  formally  transferred  from  his 
own  custody  to  that  of  the  Trustees,  more  than  four  hun 
dred  thousand  dollars  of  his  wealth. 

Who    shall    estimate     the    importance     or    measure    the 


94  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

significance    of    that    act  ?       Considered    in    its   relations   to 

o 

society  and  to  human  selfishness,  it  was  a  moral  spectacle 
of  uncommon  grandeur.  Few  men  have  lived  who,  after 
toiling  half  a  century  under  the  burden  of  great  cares  in 
gathering  a  large  fortune,  have  dared  to  be  so  disloyal  to 
ever-getting  Human  Nature  as  to  lay  down  one-half  of  it 

o  o  «/ 

on  the  altar  of  Benevolence,  as  a  sacrifice  for  the  sake  of 
human  needs.  It  was  a  revolutionary  manifesto,  declaring 
that  the  unrighteousness  of  the  Paganism  which  has  so 
long  kept  woman  in  bonds  should  yield  to  the  justice  of 
Christianity,  whose  Golden  Rule  makes  her  "  free  and 
equal'1  with  Man. 

Having  performed  that  great  act,  Mr.  Vassal1  said  :— 

u  I  beg  permission  to  add  a  brief  and  general  expression  of  iny  views  in  regard 
to  tlie  most  judicious  use  and  management  of  tlie  funds.  After  the  College  edifice 
has  been  erected,  and  furnished  with  all  needful  aids  and  appliances  for  imparting 
the  most  perfect  education  of  body,  mind,  and  heart,  it  is  my  judgment  and  wish 
that  the  amount  remaining  in  hand  should  be  safely  invested— to  remain  as  a  prin 
cipal,  only  the  annual  income  of  which  should  be  expended  in  the  preservation 
of  the  buildings  and  grounds;  the  support  of  the  faculty;  the  replenishing  and 
enlarging  of  the  library,  cabinet,  art  gallery,  etc.,  and  in  adding  to  the  capital  on 
hand  ;  so  that  the  college,  instead  of  being  impoverished,  and  tending  to  decay 
from  year  to  year,  shall  always  contain  within  itself  the  elements  of  growth  and 
expansion,  of  increasing  power,  prosperity,  and  usefulness. 

"  In  conclusion,  gentlemen,  this  enterprise,  which  I  regard  as  the  last  great 
work  of  my  life,  I  commit  to  you  as  a  sacred  trust,  which  I  feel  assured  you  will 
discharge  with  fidelity  and  uprightness,  with  wisdom  and  prudence,  with  ability 
and  energy. 

ktlt  is  my  fervent  desire  that  I  may  live  to  see  the  Institution  in  successful 
operation  ;  and,  if  (rod  shall  give  me  life  and  strength,  I  shall  gladly  employ  my 
best  faculties  in  co-operating  with  you  to  secure  the  full  and  perfect  consummation 
of  the  work  before  us." 

When  Mr.  Vassar  and  the  Trustees  resumed  their  seats, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Hague  offered  the  following  resolutions  :— 

"  Resolved,  That  we,  as  Trustees,  accept  the  munificent  donation  now  pre 
sented  b}r  Matthew  Vassar,  Esq.,  for  the  purpose  of  founding  and  endowing 
VASSAR  FEMALE  COLLEGE  ; 

il  That  we  highly  appreciate  the  practical  wisdom,  the  patriotic  forecast,  as  well 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  9o 

as  the  unparalleled  liberality,  which  prompt  him  to  devote  so  large  a  portion 
of  his  fortune  to  this  noble  work  while  he  yet  lives  ; 

'•  That  we  pledge  ourselves  to  use  our  best  endeavors  so  to  guard,  foster, 
and  apply  these  funds  intrusted  to  us,  as  to  fulfill  his  instructions  and  to  realize 
his  beneficent  design  ; 

"That  the  statement  of  Mr.  Vassar's  views  just  submitted  be  placed  on  the 
records  of  this  Board ;  and  also  be  engrossed  on  parchment,  and  preserved 
among  the  archives  of  the  College  forever." 

Dr.  Ha^ue  then  said  :— 

~ 

••  In  offering  these  resolutions  to  the  acceptance  of  this  Board  of  Trustees, 
it  may  be  proper  for  me  to  say  a  few  words,  expressive  of  my  convictions  as 
to  the  nature,  the  dignity,  and  the  scope  of  the  great  trust  that  is  now 
committed  to  our  hands. 

"The  statements  that  have  just  been  read  by  Mr.  Vassar,  unfolding  his 
cherished  aims  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  a  Female  College  in  this 
city,  the  munificence  of  his  provisions,  and  the  breadth  of  his  plan,  signalize 
an  important  step  of  progress  in  the  advancement  of  intellectual  culture 
throughout  this  country.  It  is  adapted  to  call  forth  the  sympathetic  regards 
of  the  whole  people  in  this  sisterhood  of  States ;  for  if  there  be  any  one 
feature  that  particularly  distinguishes  our  American  civilization  in  the  view 
of  the  world,  it  is  the  influence  of  cultivated  womanhood  in  the  formation 
and  development  of  American  character. 

"The  power  of  this  influence  has  been  recognized  by  all  careful  observers, 
both  at  home  and  abroad.  It  has  attracted  the  attention  of  tourists, 
philosophers,  historians,  and  writers  of  every  class.  The  most  truthful, 
touching,  and  sincere  eulogium  that  was  ever  uttered  by  an  English  author, 
as  a  tribute  of  honor  to  this  country,  came  from  the  pen  of  an  eminent 
prelate,  Bishop  "Wilson  (the  successor  of  the  celebrated  Ileber  at  Calcutta), 
when  he  declared  that  the  American  women,  the  wives  of  missionaries,  whom 
he  had  had  occasion  to  observe  in  Asia  for  a  course  of  years,  realized  his 
best  conceptions  of  cultivated  Christian  womanhood,  of  gentleness  and  re 
finement  of  manners,  combined  with  the  highest  qualities  of  heroic  excellence. 

"This  spontaneous  tribute  to  the  character  of  American  women  in  our  own 
age  is  in  happy  keeping  jvvith  the  most  trusted  testimonies  of  the  past,  in 
regard  to  the  influence  of  that  array  of  noble-minded  women  who  had  a 
conspicuous  part  to  act  in  the  training  of  this  nation  during  the  stormy 
days  of  its  infancy,  and  thus  in  shaping  our  national  destiny :  a  mighty 
moral  force,  that  was  pithily  expressed  by  one  of  the  officers  of  the  French 
army  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  when,  as  Mr.  Custis  says,  at  a 
farewell  entertainment  given  to  them  in  Virginia,  after  having  paid  their 
respects  to  the  mother  of  Washington,  he  exclaimed  as  she  retired  from  the 
assembly-room,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  her  son :  '  Xo  wonder  that  America 
has  had  such  a  leader,  since  he  has  had  such  a  mother!1 

"Those  were  times,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  subjected  womanly  character  to 
the  most  searching  ordeals,  and  developed  all  its  latent  energies.  The  men 
who  were  engrossed  by  the  demands  of  public  affairs  were  obliged  to  leave 


yb  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

the  education  of  their  sons  almost  entirely  to  the  mother  at  home.  A  fine 
exemplification  of  this  is  furnished  in  the  letters  of  President  Adams  to  his 
wife  in  regard  to  their  domestic  concerns,  and  especially  the  education  of  their 
son,  John  Quincy  Adams,  whose  name  now  shines  as  a  brilliant  star  in  the 
firmament  of  American  history.  The  letters  of  Mrs.  Adams  to  her  son  prove 
her  high  qualifications  for  the  discharge  of  her  sacred  trust;  and  the  long, 
arduous  life  work  of  that  eminent  man  is  to  he  regarded,  in  part,  as  her  own 
cherished  legacy  to  the  land  that  she  loved,  and  to  the  generation  which  is 
now  in  the  prime  of  its  manly  power,  as  well  as  to  that  which  has  already 
passed  away. 

"And  here  I  am  naturally  led  to  remark  that  the  sentiment  which  has  just 
now  been  expressed,  in  the  written  statement  that  Mr.  Yassar  has  presented  to 
us,  is  fully  verified  by  all  the  teachings  of  our  national  history,  lie  speaks  of 
the  necessity  of  providing  such  an  education  for  the  females  of  this  country  as 
shall  be  adequate  to  give  them  a  position  of  intellectual  equtdity  with  men, 
in  domestic  and  social  life.  The  thought  looms  up  with  new  aspects  of  dignity, 
the  more  closely  it  is  considered.  In  olden  times,  this  equality  was  a  marked 
feature  of  American  life,  manners,  and  habits.  The  wife  was  not  merely  the 
superintendent  of  a  household:  she  was  the  honored  friend,  companion,  and 
counselor.  In  the  settlement  of  these  colonies,  more  than  two  centuries  ago, 
she  was  the  sharer  not  only  of  domestic  joys  and  sorrows,  but  of  all  the 
cares  pertaining  to  the  establishment  of  the  Church,  the  State,  and  the  nation. 
Then  the  sons  and  daughters  of  America  were  educated  together,  and  their 
attainments  were  so  nearly  alike  as  to  constitute  a  social  equipoise,  that  for 
a  long  period  continued  firm  and  undisturbed.  But  of  late  years,  the  wealth 
and  energies  of  the  people  have  been  lavished  upon  colleges  and  universities 
for  young  men  to  such  an  extent  in  this  one  line  of  direction,  that  the 
balance  is  no  longer  even,  and  the  former  adjustment  of  the  social  forces  has 
become  somewhat  deranged.  This  derangement  must 'be  remedied,  the  balance 
must  be  restored,  or  our  national  character  cannot  hold  its  place  of  eminence, 
but  must  gravitate  toward  an  abyss.  If  the  time  shall  come  when  the 
educated  young  men  of  America  shall  cease  to  look  up  to  their  mothers 
with  the  sentiments  of  respect  that  were  cherished  by  our  fathers  in  their 
young  days,  if  our  sons  shall  cease  to  find  in  their  sisters  companions  suited 
to  their  mental  needs,  home-life  must  lose  its  former  attractions;  the  moral 
atmosphere  that  has  surrounded  the  household  will  be  no  longer  genial  ;  and 
the  most  fearful  organic  evils  that  have  been  inherent  in  the  social  structure 
of  many  nations  in  the  Old  World  will  be  reproduced  on  our  soil  in  rank 
luxuriance,  and  with  consequences  that  enfold  a  vast  and  irremediable  ruin. 

'"  It  was  not  without  good  reason  that  a  distinguished  American  traveler 
in  Turkey  said,  that  he  despaired  of  any  valid  reformation  of  that  once 
strong  but  now  decaying  nation,  until  woman  should  be  restored  to  that 
position  of  social  equality  that  God  had  originally  assigned  to  her ;  and  it 
was  with  equal  reason  that  a  French  statesman  declared,  many  years  ago,  that 
'the  chief  want  of  France  is  mothers!1  So,  too,  we  may  rest  assured  that 
the  great  work  to  which  American  patriotism  is  now  called  to  task  itself, 
is  that  of  sustaining  and  extending  the  influence  of  a  well-cultivated  Christian 
womanhood  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  these  United  States,  which 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  97 

we  all    love   to   call   'our   country/  and  whose  citizenship  has  so  long  been  the 
shield  of  our  safety,  honor,  and  prosperity. 

•'  With  these  views,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  submit  the  resolutions  now  before  you.1' 

The  resolutions  offered  by  Dr.  Hague  were  adopted 
by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Trustees.  Then  Matthew 
Vassar,  Jr.,  a  nephew  of  the  Founder,  was  chosen  to  be 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Board,  and  the  title-deeds  and  assign 
ments,  duly  executed,  which  had  been  absolutely  and 
unconditionally  given  to  Yassar  College,  were  placed  in 
his  custody. 

The  choice  of  President  of  the  College  followed  this 
provision  for  the  administration  of  its  funds ;  and  Pro 
fessor  Milo  P.  Jewett,  who  had  rendered  such  signal 
service  in  the  inception  and  growth  of  the  enterprise,  was 
by  unanimous  vote  chosen  to  fill  that  important  station. 
The  chairman  then  proceeded  to  nominate  the  following 
Standing  Committees  for  the  ensuing  year : 

Executive    Committee. 

CHARLES    \V.    SWIFT,  MATTHEW    VASSAR,    JR., 

MATTHEW    VASSAR,  CYRUS    SWAN, 

CORNELIUS     J)UBOIS. 

On    the    Faculty    and    Studies. 

MILO    P.    JEWETT,  JOHN    H.    RAYMOND, 

MARTIN    B.    ANDERSON.  EDWARD    G.    ROBINSON, 

NATHAN    BISHOP,   .  RUFUS    BABCOCK. 

On    the    Library. 

RUFUS    BABCOCK,  JAMES    HARPER, 

IRA    HARRIS,  WILLIAM    HAGUE, 

EDWARD   LATHROP.  SMITH    SHELDON. 

On    Cabinets   and    Apparatus. 

MARTIN    B.    ANDERSON.  •  GEORGE    T.    PIERCE. 

MORGAN    L.    SMITH.  STEPHEN    M.    BUCKINGHAM. 

EDWARD  G.    ROBINSON. 
13 


98  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

On   the  Art    Gallery, 

ELIAS  L.    MAGOON,  BENSON   J.    LOSSING, 

SAMUEL   F.    B.    MORSE,  JOHN    THOMPSON, 

Jonx    GUY   VASSAE. 

On   Building   and    Grounds. 
MATTHEW    VASSAE,  JOSEPH    C.    DOUGHTY, 

COENELIUS    DUBOIS,  AUGUSTUS    L.     ALLEN, 

S.    S.    CONSTANT. 

On    Corporation    Seal. 
MILO   P.    JEWETT,  BENSON   J.    LOSSING,         GEORGE   "W.    STEELING. 

On   By-laws. 
GEOEGE    T.    PIERCE,          CHARLES    W.    SWIFT,        CYRUS    SWAN. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  measures  were  adopted  for  erecting  the  College 
building,  without  delay.  The  plans  of  Mr.  Tefft  were  not 
used.  He  went  to  Europe  soon  after  completing  them, 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  his  professional  knowledge. 
He  had  proposed  that  nothing  should  be  done  toward 
the  erection  of  a  college  building  until  after  his  return, 
as  he  hoped  to  bring  with  him  important  information 
that  might  enable  him  to  make  essential  improvements 
in  his  plan.  Mr.  Yassar's  acquiescence  was  readily  given, 
and  presented  another  instance  of  the  great  deliberation 
with  which  the  Founder  acted  at  that  time,  and  to  which 
allusion  has  been  made. 

Mr.  Tefft  died  at  Florence,  in  Italy,  and  James  Ren- 
wick,  Jr.,  the  architect  of  the  edifice  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institute,  in  Washington  City,  was  employed  to  make 
plans  and  specifications  for  a  college  building  commen 
surate  with  the  Founder's  liberal  designs.  These  were 
laid  before  the  Board  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  and 
were  accepted.  The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 

soon  afterward  made  a  contract  with  Mr.  Renwick  for  the 
erection  of  an  edifice  in  accordance  with  those  plans,  and 
with  William  Harloe  as  the  "builder. 

The    college    site    and    farm    conveyed  to    the    Trustees 
"by    the    Founder    lies    nearly   two    miles    eastward    of    the 


Court-House  in  Poughkeepsie,  and  at  a  little  greater 
distance  from  the  Hudson  River.  Its  boundary  and 
superficial  lines  are  irregular,  as  the  accompanying  map'5" 

*  This    map  is   from  surveys    made  by    the  first  class  in   Trigonometry  that 
was  formed  in  Vassal"  College.     The  localities  are  indicated  as  follows: 


A.  College. 

B.  Observatory. 

C.  Gymnasium. 

I).  Gas  and  Boiler  House. 
E.  Gasometer. 


F.  Play-grounds. 


L.  Ice-house. 


G.  Sunset  1 1  ill  M.  Barn  and  Stable. 

II.  Casper's  Kill.  X.  Farm-house. 

I.    Gate  and  Porter's  Lodge.  0.  Mill-cove  Lake. 

K.  Pump-house.  P.  Tenant-house. 
R.  Garden  Store-house. 


KK)  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

shows,  and  presents  at  many  points  beautiful  landscape 
effects,  near  and  remote.  Not  far  from  its  eastern  border, 
and  "between  it  and  the  village  of  Manchester,  rises  a 
lofty  hill,  to  the  top  of  which  Mr.  Vassal*' s  elder  sister 
sometimes  took  him,  when  he  was  a  child  six  or  eight 
years  of  age,  that  lie  might  be  gratified  with  a  sight 
of  the  two  church  steeples  in  Poughkeepsie.  And  over 
the  little  stream  that  crosses  the  highway  near  by,  and 
flows  through  the  eastern  portions  of  the  college  grounds, 
he  had  often  passed  with  his  mother,  on  a-  rude  bridge 
half  hidden  by  the  luxuriant  calamus  or  sweet-flag.  Had 
some  venerated  seer  then  predicted  that  in  the  morning; 

1  o 

shadows  of  that  hill  the  little  English  boy  would  one 
day  build  a  magnificent  palace  of  learning,  and  along 
that  little  stream  would  be  seen  groups  of  young  women, 
gathered  from  every  part  of  the  Great  Republic  of  the 
West,  enjoying  the  blessings  of  his  munificence,  the  most 
credulous  admirer  of  the  prophet  would  have  refused 
belief  in  the  prophecy. 

A    site     for    the     college    edifice     on    the    bank    of    the 

o 

river  seemed  more  desirable  than  one  so  inland ;  but, 
when  both  were  carefully  considered,  the  advantages 
offered  by  the  one  chosen  were  manifestly  greater  than 

».  «/         o 

any  to  be  found  on  the  Hudson,  near  Poughkeepsie. 
It  was  far  enough  away  from  those  great  lines  of  travel, 
the  river  and  the  railway,  which  afford  facilities  for  a 
multitude  of  intrusions  and  annoyances,  to  avoid  the  latter 
altogether,  and  was  sufficiently  near  the  city  to  make  its 

O  «/  !/ 

markets  and  merchandise  easily  available.  It  was  in  a 
healthful  place,  in  the  midst  of  beautiful  rural  scenery, 
with  much  of  the  horizon  bounded  by  distant  mountains. 
More  desirable  than  any  thing  else,  for  the  health  and 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


101 


L± 


JlJ.CTT.CTll 

n-i  n 


102  YASSAR    COLLEGE 

comfort  of  the  inmates  of  tlie  projected  college,  was  a 
large  pond  of  pure  spring  water  on  the  grounds,  whose 
fountains  had  never  failed  in  their  abundance,  and  whose 
outlet,  that  had  for  years  turned  a  mill-wheel,  presented 
an  assurance  that  an  all-bountiful  supply  would  be  given. 
The  site  on  the  farm  selected  for  the  College  building 
was  a  little  plain,  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  highway, 
and  on  the  east  and  south  by  a  ravine  and  gentle  hollows. 
It  was  once  the  Duchess  County  Race-Course,  and  was 
without  tree  or  shrub.  There  the  outlines  of  the  edifice 
were  marked  out  by  the  architect  and  builder ;  and  on 
Tuesday,  the  4th  day  of  June,  1861,  Mr.  Yassar  "broke 
ground"  there  with  his  own  strength.  Only  two  of  the 
Trustees  (Messrs.  Du  Bois  and  Swan),  the  Reverend 
Howard  Malcom,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Sipher  the 
farmer,  and  one  or  two  others,  were  present  on  that  beau 
tiful  Summer  morning,  as  witnesses  of  the  interesting 

O/  O 

ceremonial.  At  the  request  of  the  Founder,  Dr.  Malcom, 
in  a  brief  supplication,  asked  God's  blessing  on  the  enter 
prise.  Then  Mr.  Yassar,  thrusting  a  spade  into  the  ground, 
lifted  almost  a  cubic  foot  of  earth  from  its  bed,  at  the 
point  where  the  trench  that  was  to  receive  the  foundation 
stones  of  the  building  was  to  begin.  The  farmer  then 
placed  his  plow  there,  with  which  he  was  to  furrow  the 
outline  of  the  trench,  and  this  Mi'.  Yassar  held  for  some 
distance  on  its  prescribed  course.  The  form  of  that  out 
line  may  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  ground-plan  of  the 
College  building  on  the  preceding  page,  which  shows  the 
relative  position  of  all  the  foundation  walls  on  which  the 
superstructure  is  built,  from  the  ground  to  the  roof.  A 
more  particular  reference  to  this  cellar-plan  will  be  made 
hereafter. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  103 

So  it  was,  wholly  without  ostentatious  display,  and 
with  the  simple  religious  ceremony  of  prayer  to  God,  in 
the  presence  of  a  few  of  his  fellow-citizens,  that  the 
Founder  of  Yassar  College,  with  his  own  hands,  began  the 
material  labor  of  the  enterprise.  That  spadeful  of  earth 
was  placed  in  a  jar,  and,  with  the  implement  with  which 
it  was  raised,  it  is  preserved,  as  a  precious  memorial,  in 
the  Geological  Cabinet  of  the  College. 

The   late   Civil   War  was  kindling   when   the   Board  of 

o 

Trustees  of  Vassar  College  was  organized.      Already,  State 

O  tJ   I 

Conventions  in  seven  of  the  Commonwealths  of  the  Re 
public  had  declared  the  withdrawal  of  those  States  from 
the  Union ;  and  representatives  from  these  in  convention 
at  Montgomery,  in  Alabama,  had  formed  a  provisional 
constitution  for  a  League  known  as  the  Confederate  States 
of  America.  To  the  apprehension  of  the  wisest  and  most 
hopeful,  the  immediate  future  of  the  country  appeared 
exceedingly  gloomy.  Civil  AVar,  with  all  its  calamities, 
seemed  inevitable.  The  shocks  of  the  political  earthquake 
then  rocking  the  nation  to  its  center  were  rapidly  unset 
tling  all  values,  and  some  of  the  securities  which  formed 
a  part  of  the  College  fund  seemed  worthless.  But  the 
Founder  and  the  Trustees  went  steadily  forward  in  the 
great  work,  at  that  time  and  during  the  entire  period  of 
the  terrible  war  that  ensued ;  and  in  the  month  succeed 
ing  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  the  Board,  at  its  annual 
meeting  (June,  1805),  found  the  College  edifice  so  nearly 
completed  and  equipped,  its  system  of  instruction  so  well 
planned,  and  the  appointments  to  the  chairs  of  professor 
ships  so  satisfactorily  made,  that  it  was  determined  to 
announce  that  the  Institution  would  be  opened  for  the 
reception  of  students  early  in  the  ensuing  Autumn.  The 


104  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

College  fund  had  been  so  well  managed  by  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Board  that  it  had  not  been  diminished,  excepting 
by  the  necessary  expenditures. 

At  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  on 
the  25th  of  February,  18<>2,  the  President  of  the  College 
asked  leave  of  absence,  for  the  purpose  of  studying  the 
systems  of  education  prevailing  in  the  most  enlightened 
countries  of  Europe,  and  especially  those  for  the  instruc 
tion  of  voiins;  women,  with  the  view  of  advancing  the  inter- 
•/o  o 

ests  of  the  Institution  over  which  he  was  to  preside.  That 
leave  was  given  ;  and  the  President  was  requested  to  pre 
pare,  while  abroad,  a  general  and  statistical  report  on  the 
subject,  in  which  he  should  compare  the  systems  in  Europe 
with  those  in  use  in  our  country,  and  to  make  to  the 
Board  such  suggestions  as  should  seem  to  him  worthy  of 
its  attention. 

President  Jewett  embarked  for  England  on  the  5th  of 
April,  18(>2,  and  arrived  in  London  on  the  lUth  of  the 
same  month.  Through  the  agency  of  the  United  States 
Minister  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  many  facilities  for  the 
prosecution  of  his  errand  were  afforded  him.  lie  spent 
several  weeks  in  London,  visiting  its  educational  establish 
ments  for  both  sexes;  scientific  and  other  institutions; 
galleries  of  art ;  manufactories  of  philosophical  instru 
ments;  libraries,  and  other  helps  to  knowledge;  and 
in  ever)'  way  seeking  useful  hints  for  the  benefit  of 
Vassar  College.  He  was  treated  with  respect  and  cour 
tesy,  for  the  novel  enterprise  which  he  represented  com 
manded  the  most  profound  attention  wherever  it  was 
made  known ;  and  it  was  frequently  mentioned  in  con 
nection  with  the  then  recent  gift  of  a  large  sum  of 
money  to  the  citv  of  London,  bv  the  eminent  Ameri- 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  105 

can    "banker,    George    Peabody,  for  the  benefit  of  the    poor 
of  that  metropolis. 

After  visiting  the  Universities  of  Oxford  and  Cam 
bridge,  and  schools  for  girls  in  other  parts  of  Great  Britain, 
the  President  crossed  the  Channel  and  spent  three  weeks 
in  Paris,  in  the  business  of  the  same  errand.  Most  of  the 
schools  for  young  women  in  that  city  were  conventual  Semi 
naries,  in  which  religious  instruction  and  duties  were  promi 
nent  features,  and  could  afford  but  few  valuable  hints 
to  an  American  educator.  Through  the  kindness  of  the 
Embassador  of  the  Republic  at  the  Court  of  St.  Cloud, 
he  obtained  an  audience  with  the  French  Minister  of  Pub 
lic  Instruction,  who  gave  him  many  facilities  for  the  prose 
cution  of  his  inquiries.  From  Paris  he  went  to  Berlin, 
Vienna,  Dresden,  Munich,  and  other  European  capitals ; 
and,  after  visiting  Rome  and  other  cities  in  Italy,  he 
returned  home. 

In  a  Report  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at  their  next 
annual  meeting  (June,  1803),  the  President  gave  an  account 
of  his  journey  abroad,  and  a  summary  of  his  observations 
concerning  the  education  of  girls  and  young  women. 
He  observed  that  great  prominence  was  given  to  religious 
instruction,  especially  in  the  schools  in  Germany :  that 
the  pupils  were  almost  universally  taught  orally,  especially 
in  Prussia,  by  which  they  obtained  ideas  instead  of  words 
only :  that  domestic  economy  received  much  attention, 
especially  in  the  schools  connected  Avith  the  nunneries  on 
the  Continent,  and  in  the  training  schools  for  young 
women  in  Great  Britain  :  that  special  attention  was  given 
to  the  bodily  health  of  the  pupils,  by  systematic  exercise 
in  the  open  air,  and  by  calisthenics,  dancing,  and  other 
healthful  in-door  movements,  which  promote  physical  vigor, 

14 


106  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

and  ease  and  trrace  in  motion  :  Hint  extreme  plainness 
and  simplicity  of  diet,  and  also  of  dress,  was  a  general  rule 
in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  Continent ;  and  that  in  many 
institutions  there  was  a  uniformity  in  dress,  the  garments 
being  made  of  subdued  colors,  while  laces  and  jewels  were 
entirely  discarded :  that  the  cultivation  of  yocal  and  in 
strumental  music  was  a  prominent  object  of  instruction  : 
that  dancing  and  painting  also  occupied  a  conspicuous 
place  in  all  the  schools ;  and  that  the  study  of  modern 
languages  was  almost  universal  in  them. 

These  special  features  of  instruction,  noticed  by  the 
President,  appeared  to  him  more  perfect  than  the  same 
in  the  schools  of  this  country;  yet  lie  came  to  the  con 
clusion  that  there  could  be  but  little  learned,  for  use  in 
American  schools,  from  the  systems  abroad.  There  is,  in 
many  particulars,  but  a  remote  resemblance  between  those 
of  our  Republic  and  of  Europe,  for  the  obvious  reason 
that  each  is  fashioned  in  accordance  with  the  demands 
of  the  political  and  social  organizations  by  which  it  is 
fostered,  and  to  which  it  is  expected  to  conform.  If  the 
President  did  not  bring  back  with  him  any  positive 
wealth  of  knowledge  to  enrich  the  inchoate  Seminary,  he 
had  observed  the  defects  in  foreign  schools  with  sufficient 
distinctness  and  care  to  prevent  their  finding  a  place  in 
the  organization  of  the  new  Institution. 

Leaving  out  of  sight  the  peculiar  systems  of  educa 
tion  in  Europe,  as  such,  and  carefully  considering  those 
special  features  of  training  and  instruction  which  they 
presented  that  seemed  essentially  useful,  the  Committee 
on  Faculty  and  Studies  proceeded  to  prepare  a  plan  of 
organization,  discipline,  and  course  of  teaching  for  the  Col 
lege,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  and  requirements 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  107 

of  our  Republican  institutions,  the  demands  of  our  cor 
relative  social  system,  and  tlie  importance,  manifest  to 
every  enlightened  mind,  of  thoroughly  educating  the 
future  mothers  of  this  nation.  They  made  an  elaborate 
report  of  their  labors  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at  its 
annual  meeting  at  the  close  of  June,  1868,  which  was 
printed  and  distributed  among  the  members  of  the  Board, 
and  educators  throughout  the  country,  that  the  College 
might  have  the  benefit  of  their  friendly  criticisms. 

The  final  organization  of  the  College  in  all  its  depart 
ments  for  its  great  work  will  be  described  presently. 
Through  all  the  years  of  preparation  for  that  work,  the 
Founder  was  not  only  a  deeply  interested  spectator,  but  a 
most  zealous  co-worker.  At  every  annual  meeting  of  the 
Board,  he  opened  its  proceedings  by  reading  a  statement 
of  his  views  and  wishes,  which  were  always  listened  to 
with  the  most  profound  attention ;  and  these  suggestions 
were  acted  upon  as  far  as  practicable.  He  especially 
desired  the  full  co-operation  of  women  in  the  labor  of 
instruction  and  discipline  in  the  College ;  and  he  was 
anxious  that  professors  of  her  sex,  if  competent  persons 
might  be  found,  should  form  a  part  of  the  Faculty.  So 
deeply  was  he  impressed  with  the  justice  and  policy  of 
such  an  arrangement,  that  at  the  meeting  in  June,  1864, 
when  the  question  of  the  appointment  of  professors  was 
to  be  considered,  he  made  the  subject  the  topic  of  his 
regular  discourse,  in  the  course  of  which  he  said: 

'•  It  is  my  hope — it  was  iny  only  hope  and  desire — indeed,  it  lias  been  the 
main  incentive  to  all  I  have  already  done,  or  may  hereafter  do,  or  hope  to 
do,  to  inaugurate  a  new  era  in  the  history  and  life  of  woman.  The  attempt 
you  are  to  aid  me  in  making  fails  wholly  of  its  point  if  it  be  not  an  advance, 
and  a  decided  advance.  I  wish  to  give  one  sex  all  the  advantages  too  long 
monopolized  by  the  other.  Ours  is,  and  is  to  be.  an  institution  for  women  — 
not  men.  In  all  its  labors,  positions,  rewards,  and  hopes,  the  idea  is  the 


108  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

development  and  exposition,  and  the  marshaling  to  the  front  and  the  prefer 
ment  of  women — of  their  powers  on  every  side,  demonstrative  of  their 
equality  with  men — demonstrative,  indeed,  of  such  capacities  as  in  certain 
fixed  directions  surpass  those  of  men.  This,  I  conceive,  may  he  fully  accom 
plished  within  the  rational  limits  of  true  womanliness,  and  without  the 
slightest  hazard  to  the  attractiveness  of  her  character.  We  are  indeed  already 
defeated  before  we  commence,  if  such  development  he  in  the  least  dangerous 
t<>  the  dearest  attributes  of  her  sex.  We  are  not  the  less  defeated,  if  it  be 
hazardous  for  her  to  avail  herself  of  her  highest  educated  powers  when  that 
point  is  gained.  AVe  are  defeated  if  we  start  upon  the  assumption  that  she 
has  no  powers  save  those  she  may  derive,  or  imitate,  from  the  other  sex.  "We 
are  defeated  if  we  recognize  the  idea  that  she  may  not,  with  every  propriety, 
contribute  to  the  world  the  benefits  of  matured  faculties  which  education 
evokes.  We  are  especially  defeated  if  we  fail  to  express,  by  our  acts,  our 
practical  belief  in  her  pre-eminent  powers  as  an  instructor  of  her  own  sex." 


We  have  now  observed  the  growth  of  one  of  the  most 

o 

remarkable  and  important  of  the  world's  seminaries  of 
learning,  from  the  germ  of  a  suggestion,  vivified  by 
benevolent  action,  to  almost  maturity  of  form  and  capacity 
for  bearing  fruit.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1805,  on 
that  little  plain  where  Mr.  Vassar,  less  than  four  years 
earlier,  cast  up  a  spadeful  of  earth  and  plowed  a  simple 
furrow,  the  Vassar  College  building  stood  in  all  its  grand 
proportions,  external  and  internal.  Near  it  had  arisen, 
over  the  immovable  foundation  of  a  great  rock,  the  walls 
and  dome  of  an  Astronomical  Observatory,  which  had 
been  erected  under  the  skillful  directions  of  Charles  S. 
Farrar,  A.  M.,  who  afterward  became  a  member  of  the 
College  Faculty,  as  Professor  of  Mathematics,  Natural 
Philosophy,  and  Chemistry.  In  another  direction,  at  the 
main  entrance  to  the  grounds,  a  stately  Gateway  and 
Porter's  Lodge  was  a-building ;  and  everywhere  the  sounds 
of  industry  were  heard.  When  April  came,  the  planting 
of  trees  and  the  forming  of  graveled  walks  and  drives 
began  to  develop  grace  and  symmetry  here  and  there,  that 
prophesied  of  the  ultimate  beauty  of  the  domain  in  form 


ITS    FOUNDER.  109 


and  feature.  When  the  Board  of  Trustees  assembled,  in 
June,  the  College  building  was  almost  ready  for  its  equip 
ment  of  furniture  and  apparatus.  Then,  as  we  have 
observed,  it  was  determined  to  open  it  for  the  reception 
of  pupils  in  the  ensuing  Autumn.  The  Summer  was 


GATEWAY  AND  PORTER'S  LODGE. 

spent  in  preparations  for  that  event ;  and  on  the  20th 
day  of  September,  18<>5,  the  first  collegiate  year  of  Vassar 
College  was  begun. 

So  early  as  the  Spring  of  1864,  circumstances  had 
caused  Dr.  Jewett  to  offer  his  resignation  of  the  Presi 
dency  of  the  College,  and  of  trusteeship.  It  Avas  accepted, 
and  he  was  succeeded  in  the  former  office  by  John  H. 
Raymond,  LL.  D.,  who  was  one  of  the  Trustees,  an  active 
member  of  the  Committee  on  Faculty  and  Studies,  and  a 
successful  educator,  of  long  experience.  Dr.  Jewett's  place 
in  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  filled  by  Reverend  Henry 
Ward  Beecher.  With  this  exception,  the  members  of  the 
Board,  and  also  its  officers,  are  the  same  as  when  it  was 
organized,  more  than  six  years  ago. 

The  work  of  the  College  was  commenced  by  the  fol 
lowing  officers  of  government  and  instruction: 


110  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

JOHN  H.  RAYMOND,  LL.  D.,  President,  and  Professor  of 
Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy. 

HANNAH  W.  LYMAN,  Lady  Principal. 

WILLIAM  I.  KNAPP,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Ancient  and 
Modern  Languages. 

o         o 

CHARLES  S.  FARRAR,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Mathematics, 
Natural  Philosophy,  and  Chemistry. 

SANBORN  TENNEY,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Natural  History, 
including  Geology  and  Mineralogy,  Botany,  Zoology,  and 
Physical  Geography. 

MARIA  MITCHELL,  Professor  of  Astronomy,  and  Director 
of  the  Observatory. 

ALIDA    C.  AVERT,   M.  D.,  Professor    of  Physiology    and 

f  v  Ot/ 

Hygiene,  and  Resident  Physician. 

HENRY  B.  BUCKIIAM,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Rhetoric, 
Belles-lettres,  and  the  English  Language. 

EDWARD  WIEBE,  Professor  of  Vocal  and  Instrumental 
Music. 

HENRY  VON  ING-EN,  Professor  of  Drawing  and  Paint 
ing. 

Louis  F.  RONDEL,  Instructor  in  the  French  Language. 

DELIA  F.  WOODS,  Instructor  in  the  Department  of 
Physical  Training. 

JESSIE  USHER,  Teacher  of  the  Latin  Language. 

LUCIA  M.  GILBERT,  Teacher  of  the  Greek  Language. 

PRISCILLA  H.  BRAISLIN,  Teacher  of  Mathematics. 

ELIZA  M.  WILEY,  Teacher  of  Music. 

EMMA  SAYLES,  Teacher  of  Chemistry,  Mathematics,  and 
the  English  Language. 

O  O          c5 

SARAH  L.   WYMAN,  Teacher  of  the  Latin  Language. 
CAROLINE    H.    METCALF,    Teacher    of    the    French    and 
English  Languages. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


Ill 


BARBARA    GRANT,    Teacher    of   Mathematics    and    Chem 
istry. 

KATE  FESSENDEN,  Teacher  of  the  French  Language. 

SARAH  E.  SCOTT,  Teacher  of  Rhetoric  and  Mathematics. 

EMILY  A.  BRADDOCK,  Teacher  of  the  Latin  Language. 

MARY  DASCOMB,  Teacher  of  Mathematics. 

JULIA  "WIEBE,  Teacher  of  Music. 

EMMA  L.  HOPKINS,  Teacher  of  Music. 

CAROLINE  S.  C.  WIEBE,  Teacher  of  Music-. 

SOPHIA  L.  CURTIS,  Teacher  of  Music. 

A.  AMELIA  JUDD,  Teacher  of  Music. 

FANNY  J.  SMALL,  Teacher  of  Music. 


THK  GYMNASIUM. 


Late  in  the  year,  and  "before  the  spacious  Gymnasium, 
that  now  stands  on  a  knoll  south-eastward  of  the  main 
edifice,  was  erected,  classes  for  physical  training  had  been 
organized  and  instructed  in  the  corridors  of  the  College 
building,  by  ELIZABETH  M.  POWELL  (Miss  Woods  had  left 
because  of  ill  health),  who  continues  to  preside  over  that 
most  important  "branch  of  education;  and  at  the  opening 
of  the  second  collegiate  year,  when  the  Gymnasium  was 
completed,  its  riding  school  was  placed  in  charge  of 
LEOPOLD  YON  SELDENECK,  who  was  for  a  lon<r  time  a  cav- 


112  VASSAll    COLLEGE 

airy    officer    in    tlie     Prussian     army,    and     served     in    that 
capacity  in  our  National  army  during  the  Civil  War. 

The  auspicious  beginning  of  Yassar  College  gave  the 
Founder  the  most  perfect  satisfaction.  The  desire  to  have 
this  result  reached  during  his  lifetime  was  gratified. 
With  faith  and  hope,  and  yet  with  intense  anxiety,  lie 
had  labored  witli  the  Trustees  (first  as  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Building  and  Grounds,  and  then  as  pre 
siding  officer  of  the  Executive  Committee)  until  the  Insti 
tution  was  ready  to  begin  its  work,  when,  as  the  following 
correspondence  shows,  he  withdrew  from  further  partici 
pation  in  the  task  of  management : 

"  SPRINGSIDE,  POUGHKEEPSIE,  June  IV,  18(55. 
"  XATIIAN  BISHOP,  LL.  D. : 

"  MY  DEAE  SIR: — The  first  stage  in  the  development  of  that  great  enter 
prise  to  which  I  have  devoted  a  large  portion  of  my  fortune  and  the  latest 
labors  of  my  life,  is  now  drawing  to  a  close.  The  erection  of  the  College  edifice, 
and  its  equipment  with  the  material  apparatus  of  instruction,  will  soon  he  com 
pleted  ;  and.  with  the  coming  Autumn,  its  interior  life  as  a  great  educational 
establishment  will  begin. 

'•  Thus  far  the  great  work  of  the  Executive  Committee  has  been,  in  a  great 
measure,  that  of  a  building  committee,  and  I  have  cheerfully  shared  its  perplexi 
ties  and  toils,  from  a  conviction  that  my  long  experience  in  the  management  of 
material  affairs  would  enable  me  to  give  them  important  aid. 

"Although  a  kind  Providence  has  blessed  me  with  more  than  ordinary  health 
and  vigor  for  my  years,  yet  I  begin  to  feel  sensibly  the  wear  and  tear  of  these 
numerous  and  ever-multiplying  details;  and  since  the  business  of  the  Executive 
Committee  must  hereafter  pertain  more  than  heretofore  to  the  internal  regulation 
of  the  College,  I  have  felt  a  strong  desire  to  be  relieved  by  some  gentleman, 
who,  in  addition  to  the  general  qualities  of  business  capacity,  high  probity,  and 
public  spirit,  possesses  a  special  experience  and  practical  knowledge  in  the  man 
agement  of  an  institution  of  learning. 

"  With  this  view,  I  have  not  only  looked  carefully  over  the  list  of  our  Trustees, 
but  extended  my  view  through  the  entire  range  of  my  acquaintance,  and,  among 
all  within  my  reach,  or  beyond  my  reach,  I  find  no  one  who  possesses  those 
qualifications  so  eminently  and  so  entirely  as  yourself.  It  is  my  desire, 
.iierefore,  at  the  approaching  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  to  resign  my 
present  place  as  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee;  and  my  earnest  hope 
is  that  you  will  consent  to  accept  and  discharge  this  honorable  trust. 

u  I  have  requested  President  Raymond,  and  our  mutual  friend,  Mr.  Stephen 
M.Buckingham,  to  be  the  bearers  of  this  communication,  and  to  give  any  further 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 

explanation    of    my  views   (of    which  they   are  fully  informed),  that  you    may 
desire. 

"  Meanwhile,  believe  me,   dear  Sir, 

"  Yours  very  respectfully,  &c., 

"M.  VASSAR." 


YORK,  June  23,  1805. 
"  MATTHEW    VASSAR,  ESQ.  : 

"Mv  DEAR     SIR:  —  Yesterday  President    Raymond   and    S.  M.  Buckingham, 
Esq.,    presented  me  your  kind  letter  of  the   21st  inst. 

"  After  a  somewhat  full  conversation  with  them,  I  consented  to  comply  with 
your  request.  In  taking  this  step  I  have  yielded  my  o\vn  preferences  to  your 
wishes,  for  I  assure  you  that  it  has  long  been  a  source  of  pleasure  to  me  to 
co-operate  with  you  in  establishing  Vassar  Female  College  —  an  institution 
which  will  become  a  perpetual  blessing  to  the  country,  and  place  you  among 
the  great  benefactors  of  mankind. 
"  With  best  regards, 

"  I  remain,  dear  Sir, 

"  Very   truly   yours, 

"XATIIAX    BISHOP." 

Let   us   now    consider  the    College    "building's,  and   tlieir 

o  o 

equipment  and  uses,  which  in  their  present  complete  state 
have  cost  a  little  more  than  half  a  million  of  dollars. 

The  main  edifice,  whose  outward  appearance  is  seen  on 
page  11,  and  its  ground-plan  on  page  101,  is  almost  five 
hundred  feet  in  length,  with  a  "breadth  through  the  center 
of  about  two  hundred  feet,  and  at  the  transverse  wing's 

o 

of  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  feet.  It  is  constructed  of 
dull  red  brick,  the  joints  pointed  with  black  mortar. 
The  water-tables,  and  trimmings  of  the  doors  and  win 
dows,  are  made  of  blue  free-stone.  The  center  building 
and  the  wings  are  five  stories  in  height,  and  the  connect 
ing  portions  are  four  stories  in  height.  Within  the  edifice 
are  five  independent  dwellings  for  resident  officers  ;  accom 
modations  for  about  four  hundred  students  ;  apartments 
for  a  full  complement  of  managers  and  servants  ;  suits 
of  rooms  for  class  recitations,  lectures,  and  instruction 
in  music  and  painting;  a  chapel;  dining  hall;  parlors; 


114  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

suitable  apartments  for  a  library  and  art  gallery,  philo 
sophical  apparatus,  laboratories,  cabinets  of  Natural  His 
tory,  and  all  other  appurtenances  of  a  first-class  college. 
Also  ample  arrangements  for  a  kitchen,  bakery,  and  laundry. 
The  height  of  the  center  building,  from  the  foundation 
to  the  top  of  the  dome,  is  ninety-two  feet.  All  of  the 
partition  walls  are  of  brick,  and  are  carried  Tip  from 
the  ground  to  the  roof.  There  is  a  corridor  in  each 
story,  twelve  feet  in  width  and  five  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  feet  in  length,  affording  room  for  exercise  in  inclem- 

O  o 

ent  weather.  These  corridors  may  be  instantly  divided 
into  five  separate  parts,  by  iron  doors  connected  with 
eight  fire-proof  walls.  The  latter  are  in  pairs,  standing 
ten  feet  apart,  and  cut  the  building  into  five  divisions. 
These  pairs  of  walls  are  connected  only  at  the  corridors, 
where  the  floor  is  brick  and  stone,  over  which  the  iron 
doors  may  slide  and  be  closed,  so  that,  should  a  conflagra 
tion  occur  in  one  portion  of  the  building,  the  other  parts 
would  be  perfectly  secure  from  harm.  These  divisions  of 
iron  and  masonry  extend  from  the  foundation  to  the 
roof. 

For  further  security  against  accident  by  fire,  iron 
pipes,  from  water-tanks  on  the  attic  floor,  pass  down 
through  the  different  stories.  To  these  hose  is  attached 
on  each  floor,  and  conveys  water  with  great  force. 
A  steam  or  water  pump  may  be  instantly  brought 
into  use,  if  needed.  There  are  but  two  fires  kept  in 
the  College  building;  one  for  cooking,  and  one  for  heat 
ing  flat-irons.  A  watchman  traverses  the  building  all 
nio^ht,  and  the  engineer  or  his  assistant  is  always  on 

o  O  «/ 

duty.  There  are  nine  stair-ways  from  the  top  to  the 
bottom  of  the  building  (two  of  them  fire-proof),  and 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  115 

eight  passages  for  egress.  These  several  provisions  seem 
to  make  the  students  absolutely  secure  from  accidents 
by  fire. 

Over  the  entire  building  six  thousand  feet  of  light 
ning  rods  are  spread,  after  the  most  approved  and  scien 
tific  methods  used  for  defense  against  thunder-bolts,  as 

o 

the    common    phrase    is ;    and   running    through    it   in    all 

J-  O  O 

directions,  and  connecting  with  external  points,  are  pipes 
for  conveying  gas,  heat,  water,  and  waste,  about  twenty- 
five  miles  in  aggregate  length. 

Now  let  us  go  through  the  building,  from  the  bottom 
to  the  top,  and  observe  the  arrangement,  equipment,  and 
uses  of  each  floor. 

Here  is  the  cellar  (see  plan  on  page  101),  traversed 
by  the  lower  sections  of  all  the  pipes.  In  the  eastern 
portion  of  the  center  are  cisterns  e  e  e  e,  and  at  its 
end  are  the  refrigerator,  store-room,  bakery,  and  boiler. 
Little  else  is  to  be  seen  excepting  the  foundation 
walls ;  so  we  will  go  up  from  this  gloomy  place  to 
the  first  story  (whose  plan  is  on  the  following  page), 
where  there  is  more  light,  air,  and  interest.  The 
entrance  is  in  the  center  building.  On  the  right  of  the 
passage  are  rooms  for  the  transaction  of  the  general 
business  of  the  College.  The  first  is  occupied  by  the 
Registrar  and  Clerk,  and  the  adjoining  one  is  the  Trustees1 
Room,  in  which  the  Executive  Committee  meets,  and 
the  Treasurer  and  Secretary  keep  their  books  and  papers. 
Adjoining  this  is  the  kitchen  of  the  President's  house  (H). 

On  the  left  of  the  passage  are  three  connecting  rooms 
devoted  to  practical  instruction  in  Chemistry.  G  is 
the  Laboratory ;  C,  a  recitation-room ;  and  A,  a  commo 
dious  lecture-room,  twenty-five  by  thirty  feet  in  area,,  and 


116 


VASSAK    COLLEGE 


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Saui.1 

^>, 

«jlh  KJ 
^    E 

Tc 

T^T 

Vjjt    ~<5 

^  E 

EH 
±1= 

yf::W 

J*    1 

AND    ITS    FOILNDKK.  117 

fifteen  feet  in  height.  It  is  seated  in  gallery  style,  and 
its  walls  are  hung  with  portraits  of  Chemists  most  dis 
tinguished  in  the  development  of  the  science.  These  are 
made  useful  by  familiarizing  the  students  with  their 
features  and  biography,  and  thus  teaching  the  history 
of  chemistry,  and  increasing  the  learners'  interest  in  the 
study.  The  Laboratory  and  Lecture-rooms  were  planned 
and  furnished  with  apparatus  and  materials  with  special 
reference  to  practice  by  the  students  in  the  elements  of 
the  science.  Most  of  the  apparatus  was  imported  directly 
for  the  College,  and  is  of  the  most  perfect  kind.  Here 
is  a  hooded  sink  and  a  hooded  table ;  there,  in  the  center, 
is  a  testing-table ;  yonder  in  a  corner  is  a  furnace  and 
spacious  hearth  ;  and  at  proper  places  are  gas  and  water 
conveniences.  Here  the  student  not  only  learns,  but 
investigates,  and  so  her  information  becomes  knowledge. 
She  may  here  demonstrate  the  fact  that  in  a  drop  of 
water  there  is  sufficient  latent  electricity,  as  the  philoso 
phers  express  it,  to  give  the  phenomena  of  a  thunder 
storm  ;  and  so  she  may  explain  the  moral  potency  of 
woman's  tears,  that  has  been  felt  ever  since  our  common 
Mother  regained  the  paradise  of  her  husband's  affections 
by  the  key  that  opened  the  celestial  gate  to  the  Peri, 
when  the  penitent  Wife, 

"  with  tears  that  ceased  not  flowing, 
And  tresses  all  disordered,  at  his  feet 
Fell  humble,  and  in  Adam  wrought 
Commiseration." 

Let  us  cross  the  corridor  and  pass  into  the  lecture- 
room  of  the  Natural  Philosophy  Department  (B),  where 
in  the  student  is  taught  how  to  explore  the  mysteries 
of  nature  in  broader  fields.  This  room  is  of  the  same 
dimensions  as  that  of  the  Chemistry  Department,  is  seated 


118  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

in  the  same  way,  and  furnished  with  conveniences  for  the 
uses  of  instruction.  On  its  walls  are  portraits  of  eminent 
Philosophers ;  and  in  a  smaller  room  adjoining  (F)  are 
the  philosophical  instruments  of  the  College.  The  supply 
of  apparatus  is  not  large,  but  well  selected,  and  each 
perfect  of  its  kind.  The  plan  of  the  Professor  of  this 
Department  is  not  to  have  instruments  for  mere  illustra 
tion,  for  which  the  Black-board  is  better  adapted,  but  to 
have  them  all  such  as  may  serve  the  purposes  of  investi 
gation  as  well  as  illustration,  believing  that  a  little  actual 
research  is  more  valuable  training  in  science  tliaii  mere 

o 

learning.  This  age  of  experiments  and  wholesome  infidel 
ity  to  theories  continually  demands  new  modifications  and 
new  varieties  of  instruments;  and  such  are  constantly 
added  to  the  collection  in  Vassar  College.  Here  in  this 
little  room  may  be  seen  some  of  the  most  interesting 
implements  used  in  scientific  investigations  by  modern 
explorers.  Among  these  is  the  apparatus  of  pendulum 
and  indicator,  by  which  Faucoult  has  recently  demon 
strated  the  fact  of  the  rotary  motion  of  the  earth,  and 
by  which  his  experiments  were  successfully  repeated  at 
Vassar  College,  on  the  night  of  the  18th  of  March,  1867, 
by  Professor  Farrar  and  his  class.  The  pendulum  ball 
then  used  was  a  sphere  of  lead,  weighing  forty-six  pounds. 
It  was  suspended  from  the  roof  of  the  College  building, 
by  a  wire  sixty-four  feet  in  length,  over  the  open  space 
within  the  north  central  stairway,  and  was  made  to 
vibrate  over  a  carefully  graduated  circle  of  three  feet 
in  diameter.  Problems  of  the  pendulum  had  been 
previously  worked  out  by  the  class,  and  the  experiment 
verified  the  correctness  of  their  calculations.  The  plane 
of  oscillation  was  found  to  rotate  nearly  at  the  rate  of 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  1  U> 

ten  degrees  an  hour,  which  is  the  rate  demanded  for 
the  latitude  of  the  College  (41°  40'  50"),  on  the  hypothe 
sis  of  the  daily  rotation  of  the  earth  on  its  axis.  This 
incident  is  mentioned  as  an  illustration  of  the  fact  that 
every  new  experiment  and  demonstration  in  science  is 
brought  to  the  practical  notice  of  the  students  of  Vassar 
College. 

Pages  might  he  filled  with  a  catalogue  and  description 
of  the  philosophical  instruments,  but  we  may  notice  only 
one  or  two  more,  and  then  pass  on  to  other  apartments. 
Look  at  that  modest  little  mahogany  box,  with  a  row  of 
small  discs  on  the  top,  like  the  finger-keys  of  an  accordion. 
Here  is  a  little  crank.  How  easily  it  turns !  Put  your 
finger  on  that  button.  You  are  startled !  And  well  you 
may  be,  for  there  is  a  giant  in  that  box,  terrible  in  its 
anger,  but  harmless  when  unprovoked.  It  is  of  a  race 
once  employed  to  strike  mortal  blows  at  the  life  of  the 
Republic;  now  it  is  occasionally  engaged  in  the  more 
peaceful  labor  of  decomposing  water.  It  is  one  of  Wheat- 
stone's  improved  Magneto-Electric  Machines,  that  was  used 
in  Charleston  Harbor,  during  the  late  Civil  War,  for 
exploding  floating  mines  of  gunpowder,  called  torpedoes, 
under  National  vessels. 

Here  are  some  beautiful  instruments,  used  by  Tyndall 
in  his  recent  delicate  experiments  and  demonstrations  con 
cerning  the  nature  of  heat,  light,  and  motion,  which 

O  O         ' 

threaten  to  greatly  modify  all  previous  theories  on  those 
subjects.  These  seem  to  open  to  the  human  understand 
ing  deeper  knowledge  of  the  Universe, 

"  "Whose  body  Nature  is,  and  God  the  soul;" 

and    lead    us    to    a    more     comprehensive     idea     of    that 


120  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

subtle,  all-pervading,  and    mysterious    emanation    from    the 
Omnipotent,    which,    as    Pope    said,     more     than  a    century 


"Warms  in  the  sun,  refreshes  in  the  breeze, 
Glows  in  the  stars,   and  blossoms  in  the  trees; 
Lives  through  all  life,  extends  through  all  extent, 
Spreads  undivided,   operates  unspent." 


It  would  "be  delightful  to  linger  here  among  these 
revelators  of  the  mysteries  of  the  Universe ;  "but  we  must 
pass  on  to  places  and  things  of  more  personal  importance 
to  tutors  and  students.  Before  doing  so,  let  us  spend  a 
few  minutes  in  the  Natural  History  Laboratory  (D),  and 
Recitation-room  (E),  in  which  may  be  found  specimens  in 
abundance  of  the  products  of  the  three  kingdoms  whose 
history  and  character  are  here  studied ;  also  illustrative 
maps,  diagrams,  and  drawings.  In  connection  with  the 
studies  in  this  department,  which  include  the  subjects 
of  Geology,  Physical  Geography,  Botany,  Mineralogy,  and 
Zoology,  the  cabinets  belonging  to  the  College,  and  situ 
ated  upon  other  floors,  are  freely  used.  Much  study  is 
also  performed  in  the  woods  and  fields,  when  the  weather 
permits. 

There  is  a  syllogism  as  old  as  the  creation,  that  may 
run.  thus :  All  mortal  creatures  must  eat  and  sleep ; 
human  beings  are  mortal;  therefore,  human  beings,  like 
gazelles  and  birds  of  paradise,  must  eat  and  sleep.  In 
compliance  with  this  truth,  ample  provision  is  made  in 
Vassar  College  for  the  sustenance  and  repose  of  its  in 
mates.  Look  alonff  this  corridor,  on  the  floor  we  are 

o 

exploring,  and  you  will  find  a  large  number  of  students' 
parlors  and  bed-rooms,  the  former  indicated  by  Arabic 
numerals,  from  1  to  22,  and  the  latter  by  the  letters  $,  $, 


A]ST>    ITS    FOUNDER.  2 

and  £,  often  repeated.  The  general  arrangement  is  to  have 
one  parlor  tor  the  common  nse  of  the  occupants  of  three 
lodging-rooms  connecting  with  it.  These,  yon  will  per 
ceive,  are  situated  along  the  whole  outward  side  of  the 
building,  from  the  center  into  the  wings,  and  end  at  the 
Professors1  houses  (T  T),  in  the  extremity  of  each  wing. 
The  latter  occupy  those  portions  of  the  Imilding  from  the 
first  to  the  fourth  story.  The  total  number  of  students' 
parlors  is  one  hundred,  and  of  bed-rooms,  two  hundred 
and  forty-two. 

Passing  into  the  eastern  part  of  the  center  building, 
we  come  to  the  servants'  dining  hall  (M),  at  the  end  of 
which,  and  separated  from  it  by  a  small  corridor,  are  the 
Steward's  apartments  (T),  the  Kitchen  (L),  and  Store 
room  (K).  Adjoining  the  sides  of  the  Hall  may  be 
found  the  Laundry  (X),  Mangle  (O),  Laundresses'  Office 
(Q),  Drying-room  (S),  Ironing-rooms  (R),  and  Servants' 
Bed-rooms  (P).  The  Kitchen  and  Laundry  are  perfectly 
equipped  with  the  most  recent  materials  and  implements. 

In    the  Wash-room    is    a  five  horse-power  steam  engine,  for 

i  ~ 

working  the  washing  machines  and  mangle.  Beneath  it 
is  the  boiler,  in  which  water,  that  flows  to  every  part 
of  the  Imilding,  is  heated  by  a  coil  of  iron  pipe,  three 
hundred  feet  in  length,  filled  with  steam.  In  the  oven 
of  the  bakery,  near  the  boiler,  which  is  nine  by  twelve 
feet  in  size,  all  the  bread  and  pastry  are  baked. 

Xow  let  us  go  up  to  the  second  story,  or  principal 
floor.  Here  is  a  vestibule  (Y)  at  the  main  entrance, 
twelve  by  thirty  feet  in  area;  and  opening  into  the  cor 
ridor  (U),  in  front  of  a  spacious  double  stairway  and 
platform,  which  occupy  an  area  twenty-eight  feet  in  depth 
and  thirty-eight  feet  in  width.  Refer  to  the  plan  of 


:  ; 


VASSAK  COLLEGE 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER 


123 


this  floor  on  the  opposite  page  as  we  go  along,  and  you 
will  have  a  clear  idea  of  its  occupation  and  uses.  On 
both  sides  of  the  vestibule  are  two  parlors,  each  twenty- 
four  by  forty-six  feet  in  area,  with  sliding  doors  opposite 
each  other.  When  all  of  these  are  thrown  back  at  one 


THE  CENTUAL  DOUBLE  STAIRWAY. 

time,  there  is  presented  an  open  space  twenty-four  feet  in 
width,  and  more  than  one  hundred  feet  in  length.  Those 
on  the  right  of  the  Vestibule  (M,  M),  are  the  President's 
Parlors;  and  those  on  the  left  (L,  L)  are  the  College 
Parlors.  The  President's  house  (N,  X)  adjoins  his  parlors, 
and  extends  from  the  first  to  the  third  story,  inclusive. 

Adjoining  the  College  Parlors  is  the  Medical  Lecture- 
room  (J),  which  is  equipped  for  instruction  with  skeletons 
of  both  sexes;  a  manikin,  capable  of  complete  dissection; 
dissectible  papier  mdclte  models  of  the  eye,  ear,  and  other 
organs;  excellent  dried  preparations,  showing  the  distribu 
tion  of  nerves  and  blood-vessels ;  and  a  ^ood  collection 


124  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

of  microscopic  objects,  to  illustrate  tlie  minute  anatomy  of 
various  structures. 

Crossing  the  corridor,  we  find  four  Recitation-rooms 
(I,  II,  Gr,  F),  two  on  each  side  of  the  central  stairway. 
Passing  through  the  door  seen  in  the  picture,  beneath,  the 
landing  of  the  stairway,  we  enter  the  great  Dining  Hall 
(O),  the  area  of  which  is  forty-five  by  ninety-four  feet. 
The  ceiling,  like  the  rest  of  this  and  the  next  story,  is 
thirteen  feet  above  the  floor,  and  is  supported  by  columns. 

On  the  right  of  the  entrance  is  the  Messenger's  room, 
in  which  is  the  only  clock  in  the  College,  and  by  which 
all  its  prescribed  internal  movements  are  directed.  In  it 
is  also  an  annunciator,  connected  with  various  official 
apartments,  by  which  right  direction  is  given  to  aliswer 
a  summons.  In  various  parts  of  the  building,  such  as  at 
each  end  of  the  four  corridors,  are  electro-magnetic  bells, 
connected  with  a  powerful  battery  in  the  Chemical  Labora 
tory.  The  Messenger  has  an  instrument  in  her  room, 
by  which  she  can  at  any  moment  cause  the  ringing  of 
one  or  all  of  these  bells.  Governed  by  the  prescriptions  of 
a  time  table,  she  announces  by  a  touch  of  the  key  of  this 
instrument,  causing  the  bells  to  ring,  the  time  for  rising  ; 
for  service  in  the  Chapel ;  for  breakfast ;  for  the  assem 
bling  of  classes  for  instruction,  and  for  the  performance  of 
all  other  prescribed  duties  at  fixed  periods  of  the  day. 

In  the  Dining  Hall  four  hundred  persons  may  be  seated 
at  table.  Back  of  it  is  the  Carving-room  (P),  admirably 
equipped  with  steam  apparatus  for  keeping  every  thing  for 
the  table  warm.  Next  to  it  is  the  Dish-pantry  (Q).  On 
the  opposite  side  of  a  back  stairway  is  the  silver  and 
china  room  (R),  with  refrigerators  in  which,  and  for  other 
purposes,  five  hundred  tons  of  ice  were  consumed  during 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


125 


126 


VASSATC    COLLEGE 


the  first  Collegiate  year.  The  rooms  S  S  are  for  tlie 
Steward's  use.  On  tins  floor,  also,  are  students'  parlors 
and  bed-rooms,  the  former  indicated  1>y  numerals,  from  *2X 
to  44,  and  the  latter  by  the  letters  #,  £,  and  e,  repeated. 
T  T  denote  Professors'  houses. 

We   will   go  up  the  great   stairway  to  the  second   floor, 


THE  CHAPEL,  FKOM  THE  GALLEKT. 

or  third  story,  the  plan  of  which  is  on  the  preceding  page, 
and  enter  the  Chapel  (R),  which  is  directly  over  the 
Dining  Hall.  It  is  the  same  in  width  as  the  latter,  and  is 
ninety-one  feet  in  length,  with  a  gallery.  At  its  entrance 
are  two  cloak-rooms  (S  S),  and  at  the  rear  is  a  semi 
circular  vaulted  recess,  in  which  are  placed  the  organ,  and 
seats  in  gallery  form.  In  front  of  these  is  a  platform  for 
literary  and  musical  exercises,  and ;  exhibitions  by  the 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  127 

students.      The  Chapel  is  neatly  furnished,  with   cushioned 
seats,   and    carpeted    aisle    and    platform ;    and    six    hundred 
persons   may    l>e    comfortably    seated    in    it.     Its    gallery    is 
supported    ]>y    brackets    below    it,    and    iron    rods    reaching 
down    from    the     arched    ceiling.        At    four    points    of  the 
cornice,   as    in    similar    positions 
in  other  rooms  in  the  building, 
the  initial  of  Mr.  Vassal1*1  s  name 
(V.)   is  seen  inclosed  in  an  ara 
besque    scroll.      In  the    rear    of 

the  Chapel,  and  inclosing  the  semi-circular  recess,  are 
Music-rooms,  numbered  from  1  to  15. 

In  front  of  the  Organ,  and  covering  it,  is  a  copy  of 
Raphael's  celebrated  picture,  entitled  La  Vierge  de  Foligno, 
made  with  great  care  by  Miss  Church,  an  American 
woman,  who  has  been  for  several  years  in  Home.  The 
original  was  painted  by  command  of  Sigismund  Conti  of 
Foligno,  who  was  Secretary  to  Pope  Julius  the  Second. 
The  story  is,  that  having  been,  as  he  supposed,  miracu 
lously  saved  from  a  thunder-bolt,  Sigismund  vowed  to 
consecrate  a  picture  upon  the  altar  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
to  whose  protecting  care  he  attributed  his  salvation.  In 
the  upper  part  of  the  picture  is  seen  the  Virgin  in  glory, 
holding  the  infant  Jesus,  and  surrounded  by  clouds  and 
angels.  On  the  earth,  in  the  foreground,  is  a  portrait  of 

o  ox 

Sigismund,  who  is  introduced  to  the  Virgin  by  Jerome, 
arrayed  in  the  dress  of  a  Cardinal.  A  figure  in  the  atti 
tude  of  prayer  is  intended  for  St.  Francis,  near  whom 
stands  St.  John  the  Baptist,  who  points  to  the  Virgin. 
In  the  center  is  a  little  boy  with  wings,  holding  a  tablet, 
on  which  might  be  properly  inscribed  the  words  of  St. 
Paul  to  the  Athenians — "  I  perceive  that  in  all  things  ye 


128  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

are  too  superstitious."  This  is  one  of  the  most  celebrated 
of  Raphael's  compositions.,  and  an  engraving  of  it  forms 
the  first  illustration  in  the  Musee  Royale.  The  donor  put 
it  in  a  church  in  Rome,  from  which  it  was  afterward 
conveyed  by  his  niece,  Anna  Conti,  to  the  Chapel  of  the 
Nunnery  of  St.  Anna,  at  Foligno,  founded  by  the  Conti 
family.  It  was  among  the  pictures  sent  to  Paris  when 
Napoleon  the  First  despoiled  Italy  of  its  works  of  art. 
In  1815  it  was  sent  back  to  Home,  and  placed  in  the 
gallery  of  the  Vatican,  where  Miss  Church  copied  it. 
That  copy,  ordered  by  President  Jewett  when  he  was  in 
Rome,  in  1801,  has  been  placed  temporarily  in  the  Chapel 
of  Vassar  College. 

o 

On  one  side  of  the  central  stairway,  on  the  floor  we  are 
now  exploring,  is  the  room  of  the  Lady  Principal  (50), 
and  on  the  other  side,  the  apartment  of  the  Matron  (57). 
In  the  same  relative  position  as  on  the  floors  below  we  find 
the  students1  parlors  and  bed-rooms,  the  former  numbering 
from  44  to  G8,  and  the  latter  indicated  by  the  three  let 
ters  #,  b,  and  c.  The  Professors1  houses  are  also  indicated 
by  the  letter  T.  Directly  opposite  the  Chapel  is  the 
Library  (P),  thirty  by  thirty-five  feet  in  area,  and  contain 
ing  at  the  present  time  a  little  over  three  thousand 
volumes.  To  these  large  additions  will  be  made,  until 
this  portion  of  the  working  implements  of  the  College 
shall  be  as  perfect  as  any  other. 

Adjoining  the  Library,  on  one  side,  is  the  Lady  Princi 
pal's  office  (O),  and  next  to  it  is  her  parlor.  On  the 
other  side  are  the  President's  apartments  (Q  Q  Q),  and 
across  the  corridor,  opposite,  is  his  office  (N).  Adjoining 
the  Lady  Principal's  Parlor  is  the  Cabinet  of  Natural 
History  (L),  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  corridor 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  129 

is  a  Recitation-roAm  (K).  The  former,  under  the  superin 
tendence  of  the  Professor  of  Natural  History,  has  become 
one  of  the  most  interesting  apartments  in  the  College. 
It  contains  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  collection,  among 
which  are  now  several  thousand  specimens  illustrating  mam 
mals,  birds,  reptiles,  fishes,  insects,  Crustacea,  shells,  echino- 
derms,  acalephs,  corals,  and  sea-anemones.  This  Cabinet  has 
been  enriched,  while  these  pages  have  been  in  preparation, 
by  the  enlightened  generosity  of  J.  P.  Giraud,  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  an  amateur  Ornithologist,  who  has  presented  his 
entire  collection  of  North  American  birds  to  Vassar  Col 
lege,  together  with  rare  and  valuable  works  on  Orni 
thology.  This  collection  of  birds  of  North  America  is  said 
to  be  equal  to  any  in  the  world.  It  contains  many  speci 
mens  of  which  Auduboii  made  drawings  for  his  magni 
ficent  work  entitled  "  Birds  of  America."  Among  these  is 

o 

the  Great  Auk,  an  aquatic  bird  now  supposed  to  be  ex 
tinct.  Vassar  College  will  doubtless  soon  possess  the 
most  extensive  and  valuable  museum  of  Natural  History 
in  the  country. 

Let  us  now  go  still  higher,  to  the  Third  Floor,  or 
Fourth  Story.  Turning  as  before  at  the  platform,  we 
enter  the  gallery  of  the  Chapel  (R),  at  the  end  of  which 
are  music-rooms,  numbering  from  10  to  31.  At  the 
entrance  to  the  gallery  are  two  cloak-rooms  (S  S)  ;  and 
on  each  side  of  the  great  stairway  is  a  recitation-room 
(O  and  P).  Extending  along  the  corridor  each  way,  we 
see  students1  parlors,  numbering  from  09  to  95,  with  bed 
rooms  <7,  £,  and  c.  At  the  southeastern  angle  of  this 
floor  are  the  Physician^  room  (U),  the  Infirmary  (Q), 
and  Convalescents'  room  (Y).  These  are  delightfully  situ 
ated,  more  than  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  over- 
it 


130 


YASSAR    COLLEGE 


a 


rT 


:1 


— — <•    s 


Tlra 


rr 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


131 


look  the  most  pleasing  rural  scenery.  The  view  on 
the  east  is  terminated  by  high  cultivated  hills,  and  on 
the  south  by  the  blue  line  of  the  Fish  Kil  mountains, 
twenty  miles  distant.  These  rooms  are  well  lighted  and 
ventilated,  and  present  in  their  internal  aspect,  and  scenes 
from  the  windows,  much  to  please  the  eye  and  cheer  the 
spirits  of  an  invalid.  On  this  floor,  also,  the  Professors' 
houses  are  indicated  bv  the  letters  T  T. 

Opposite    the    gallery    of    the     Chapel    is    the    entrance 


THE  ART  GALLERY. 

to  the  Art  Gallery.  This  admits  us  to  a  room  thirty 
feet  in  width  and  ninety-six  feet  in  length,  lighted  from  a 
dome  in  the  center  that  rises  about  forty  feet  above  the 
floor,  a  sky-light  in  each  wing,  and  windows  along  the 
western  front  of  the  College.  In  a  greater  portion  of 
the  apartment,  the  walls,  from  the  floor  well  up  toward 
the  cornice,  are  hung  with  pictures,  all  adapted  by  their  size 
and  character  to  the  purposes  of  instruction.  This  room 
is  in  charge  of  the  Professor  of  Drawing  and  Painting. 


132 


VASSAE    COLLEGE 


The  first  prominent  object  that  meets  the  eye  on  enter 
ing  this  fine  gallery  is  a  full-length  portrait  of  the  Founder, 
painted  by  Charles  Elliott,  by  order  of  the  Trustees.  Imme 
diately  below  and  in  front  of  the  portrait  may  be  seen  a 
marble  bust  of  the  Founder,  life  size,  by  Mrs.  Laura  S. 
Hofmann,  of  Poughkeepsie,  who  formed  the  model  from 
life,  while  the  early  pages  of  this  Memoir  were  passing 


MATTHEW  VASSAK. 


through  the  press.  On  the  walls  011  each  side  of  the 
portrait  are  groups  of  ancient  armor,  of  much  historical 
interest.  That  helmet  covered  with  foiled  gold  came 
from  Spain ;  and  the  other,  crested  by  a  bird,  surmounted 
the  tomb  of  a  family  in  England,  now  extinct.  That 
halberd  belonged  to  the  French  King  Francis  the  First, 
and  his  arms  are  etched  on  the  spear-point.  Look  into 
this  cuirass,  and  you  will  see  the  names  of  several  of 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


133 


Cromwell's  most  noted  battles.  In  those,  tliis  shield  for 
the  breast  and  back  was  used.  Here  are  swords,  and 
gauntlets,  and  spurs,  worn  by  ancient  knights ;  but  we 
may  not  stop  to  consider  in  detail  all  that  we  see  in 
this  room.  As  we  enter,  we  observe  on  our  right  a 
large  number  of  oil  paintings,  and  on  our  left,  a  greater 
number  made  with  water-colors  and  black-lead  pencils; 
and  here  and  there  about  the  room  are  students  copying 
pictures,  under  the  direction  of  the  Art  Professor.  Let 
us  sit  down  and  learn  the  names  of  the  pictures,  and 
of  the  artists  who  made  them,  from  this 

CATALOGUE  OF  THE  ART  GALLERY  OF  VASSAR  COLLEGE. 


OIL  PAINTINGS. 


1  The  Wreck  Ashore.     IT.  Bacon. 

2  A  Western  Hunter.    J.  Craicford  T7iom. 
8  Landscape.      W.  H.  Oddie. 

4  The  Upper  Meadows,  North  Comvay.    IInl>l>ard. 

5  "  Behold  the  Man."' 

6  A  Lesson  for  the  Lazy.     TT'.  IT.  Beard. 

1  Meadows  and    Mountains  at    Bethel.       X    W. 
Griggs. 

8  The  Duck  Shooter.      W.  Ranney. 

9  Sunset  at  Lancaster,  X.  II.     A.  D.  Shatiuck. 

10  Ticonderoga  in  Winter.     T.  L.  Smith. 

11  Sunrise  on  the  Bernese  Alps.     S.  R.  Gifford . 

12  Nantasket  Beach.      W.  II.  Gay. 

13  Don  Quixote's  Attack  on   the   "Windmills.      J. 

Craicford.  Thorn. 

14  Assumption  of  the  Virgin. 

15  Summer  in  South  America.     F.  E.  Church. 

16  Afternoon  near  Lake  George.      J.  W.  Caxilear. 

17  Chocorua  Lake  and  Mountain.      A.  I>.  Shattm-k. 
IS  Morning  over  New  York.     ('.  II.  Moor*. 

19  Glamis  Castle.      William  Hart. 

20  Dessert  Delicacies.     R.  Collins. 

21  Interior  of  St.  Germain  des  Pros,  Paris.      7>nnil. 

22  Caught  in  the  Act.     T.  II.  Mttttexon. 

23  M.  Angelo  and  his  Master-pieces.    J.  W.  Elinin- 

ger. 

24  Through  the  Woods.     A.  B.  Durand. 

25  "Where  the  streamlet  sings  in  rural  joy."      A. 

B.  Durand. 

26  Down  the  Hudson  to  West  Point.     (\  IT.  Moor-,'. 

27  The  Culprit  Fay.     George  Bouahton. 

28  Turkish  Interior.     Diaz. 

29  The  Baron's  Tomb.     M'uller. 


I     30  Sacred  Song.     Lonix  Lang. 

31  Evening  at  Paestuin.     J.  F.  Cropxey. 

32  The  Wild  New  England  Shore.      William  Hart. 

33  The  Wreath  of  Nature.      TT'  F.  Richard*. 

34  Nature's  Nook.     James  JIart. 

35  Home  again  from  a  Foreign  Shore.     Gi(/>wn.r. 

36  Berkley  Rock  at  Newport.     J.  F.  Ke.ii«ett. 

37  Autumn  in  North  America.     F.  E.  Church, 
3S  Birds  in  the  Bushes.     A.  F.  T<iit. 

39  Tuckerman's  Ravine.     S.  Caiman. 

40  Morning  on  the  Coast  of  Sicily.    J.  F.  (^ropxey. 

41  Evening  in  Vermont     F.  E.  Church. 

42  Robinson  praying   for    the    Pilgrims   about    to 

embark  for  Holland.     Edicin  White. 

43  Ripley  Falls.     B.  Champney. 

44  Cellini  in  his  Studio.     Andrier. 

45  Deer  in  a  Dell.     .1.  F.  Tait. 

46  View  from  Lead  Mine  Bridge.      Wilfium  Hart. 

47  The  Old  Elm  by  the  River  Side.     A.  ./.  Belloir*. 

48  Sunset   in  Italy,  with   Vesper  Procession.       It. 

Johnson. 
40  "Roslyn"— Bryant's    Residence.      T.   Addixon 

Richards. 
50  "S'unnyside"— Irvine's     Home.       T.    Addition 

Richard  a. 
~>{  Sketch   of  Madonna   and    Child.       Rembrandt 

Lockirood. 

52  The  Irish  Shepherd.     George  Moreland. 

53  The  Miser.     Rembrandt  Lockirood. 

54  Group  from  the  Village  Festival.      Sir  Darid 

Wilkie. 

55  Near  Swallow's  Cave.  Nahant.     S.   W.  (irigt/N. 

56  Chief  Justice  Marshall.     B.  Martin. 


134 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


57  Thetis  bringing  Armor  to  Achilles.     Benjamin  \ 

Went. 

58  Rainy  Day  near  West  Point.      George  Brough-  , 

ton. 

59  Interior  of  a  Barn.     Marcus  Waterman. 

60  Afternoon    on    the   Androscoggin.       Henry    A.  I 

Ferguson. 

61  The  Upper  Connecticut.     .1.  IL  Shattuck. 

62  Crystal  Cascade.     Homer  Martin. 

63  Cherry  Mountain   and   Franconia  Range.     X  Z. 

Gerry. 

64  Glen  Ellis  Fall.     Homer  Mart  in. 

65  The  Lover  of  Pictures.     J.  Cratrford  Thorn. 

66  Autumnal  Eve  at  Valombrosa.       Thomas  Cole. 

67  Count  Ugolino  and   Family   in   the  Dunireon  of 

Starvation.     Alonzo  Chappel. 

68  Mts.  Madison  and  Adams,  from  Milan        Ale.-,r- 

ander  W'ust. 

69  The  Upper  Palisade.     (\  fl.  Moore. 

70  The  Visitation  (Luke  i.  39-50).      After  Raphael  \ 

and  Del  Piombo. 

71  Amiens  Cathedral.     Gennisson. 

72  Edward  Everett.     J.  If.  Young. 

73  Lake  Winnipiseogee.    Alexander  Want. 

74  The  Catskillsin  Spring.     ('.  H.  Moore. 

75  Meditation.     7?.  II".   Weir. 

76  Don  Quixote  in  his  Study.     .F.  M.  Johnson. 

77  The  White  Mountains,  froin  Sheiburne.     £.  Z. 

Gerry. 

78  Sunset  on  Mole  Mountain.     A.  D.  Shattuck. 

79  Autumnal  Snow  on  Mount  Washington.      A.  D. 

Shattuck. 

80  Winter   lingering  in   the  Lap    of   Sprinir.      B. 

Cfiampney. 

81  The  Saco  at  North  Conway,  and  Mt.  Kearsarge. 

William  Hart. 

62  The  Upper  Hudson.     Thomas  Doughty. 
S3  A  Winter  View  from  Newburgh.  Z.  R.  Mignot. 

84  Scenery  in  Savoy.     Watelel. 

85  Washington  at  Mt.  Vernon.     Alonzo  Chappel. 

86  Death  of  Copernicus.     G.  H.  Hall. 

87  Exceeding  Rich  and  Precious  Promises.     G.  If. 

Hall. 

88  Meadows   and  Wild    Flowers   at   Conway.      S. 

Colman. 

89  Dolly  Neglected.      W.  J.  Hennessy. 

90  The  Young  Devotee.     L' Enfant  de  Metz. 

91  Tit  for  Tat.     Duverger. 


92  The  Summer  Rose.     G.  A.  Baker. 

93  The-  Adventure.      W.  &  Mount. 

94  Falstaff.      C.  L.  Elliott. 

95  The  Sybil.     D.  Huntington. 

96  '-The  moonshine  stealing  o'er  the  scene 

Hath  blended  with  the  light  of  eve  ; 
And  she  was  there,  my  hope,  my  joy, 

My  own  dear  Genevieve.'1     J.  F.  Cropsey, 

97  Dead  Christ.     M.  Alophe. 

9S  Beggar  Girl  in  Rome.     Edirin   Wltite. 

99  Night  over  New  York.     Alexander  Wu*t. 

100  Lesson  of  Prayer.     Henry  Peters  Gray. 

101  Market  Scene  in  New  York.     7?.  Giynoiiw. 

102  Noon  in  Midsummer.     J.  McEntee. 

103  The  Coming  Snow.     J.  McEntee. 

104  Artist  Brook.  North  Conway.     A'.  Colman. 

105  The  Shrine  of  Shakspeare.     S.  7?.  Gifford. 

106  Old  Guard.     J//v».  Lily  Sj>encer. 

107  Warwick  Castle  and  River  Avon.   //.  W.  Xicholx. 

108  Sybil.     After  Domenichino. 

109  Spring  at  Great  Barrington.      If.  A.  Fertjuxon. 

110  Summer  in  North  Conway.     If.  A.  Fertjiixon. 

111  Autumn  at  Lake  George.     //.  A.  Fei-fjnxon. 

112  Winter  near  Albany.     //.  A.  Fergnxon. 

113  Lamentation  over  Jerusalem.     Beyas. 

114  The  Spanish  Devotee.     Greene. 

115  The  Jewess.     E.  Dodge. 

116  Narraganset  Coast.     Marcn*  Waterman. 

117  Flower  Girl  at  the  Church  Door.      Achenlmch. 

118  The  Old  Man's  Lesson.     Thomas  Hick*. 

119  Talk  Beach,  near  Cohasset.      W.  Gay. 

120  Lake  Maggiore.     A  II.  Gifford. 

121  Old  Cottage  near  Shakspeare's  Birth-place.  J.  M. 

Falconer. 

122  The  Roman  Campagna.     S.  7?.  Gifford. 

123  Sunset  at  Bethel,  Maine.     A.  D.  Mattuvk. 

124  Down  the  Willey  Fass.     S.  Colman. 

125  The  Franconia  Notch,  and  Mt.   Lafayette.     A. 

J.  Bellou-K. 

126  Sunset  in  Western  Virginia.      W.  L.  Sontaa. 

127  The  American  Monk.     Rembrandt  Lockvood. 

128  Noon  near  the  Lake.     George  Inness. 

129  Summer    Twilight   on  the  Catskills.       Jaw  it- 

son. 

130  Cape  Blow-me-down.  Canada.     Le  Grand. 

131  Evening  in  the  Meadows.     Geot*ge  Inne*s. 

132  Head  of  the  River.     Alexander  W'dst. 
183  Evenins  on  the  Mystic.     J.  Henry  Hill. 


PICTURES   IX  WATER  COLOR,  AND  PENCIL  DRAWINGS. 


134  On  the  Seine.     Ghirardi. 

135  The  Upper  Rhine.     Lonis  Thomax. 

136  French  Cavalry.     Titos.  Fort. 

137  The  Diligence.     T7to*.  Fort. 

138  Bridge  over  the  Rhone.     BetJnme. 

139  La  Grand  mere. 

140  York  Cathedral.      W.  Richardson. 

141  Flamboyant  Church.     Croydon. 

142  Manor  House,  York.     Richardson. 

143  The  Truant,     Taylor. 

144  The  Observatory,  Oxford.      William  West, 

145  Trinity  Library,  Cambridge.     Westall. 

146  Jesus  College,  Cambridge.     Westall. 


147  Marine.     Unknown. 

148  Kitchen,  Christ  Ch.  College,  Oxford.     A.  Pugin. 

149  Chapel  of  Magdalen  College.  Cambridge.     Put/in. 

150  Caius  College,  Cambridge.     Puffin. 

151  The  Sinner  and  The  Saviour.      West. 

152  Crypt  of  St.  Peter's,  Oxford.     F.  Mackenzie. 

153  Court  of  Emanucl  College.  Cambridge.     Pugin. 

154  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge.      W.  Wextall 

155  Emanuel  College.  Cambridge.      W.   Westall. 

156  St.  Paul's  School,  London.     Mackenzie. 

157  Caius  College.  Cambridge.     Pugin. 

158  Chapel  of  Emanuel  College.  Cambridge.     Pugin. 

159  Worcester  College,  Oxford.     Joint.  IJ.  Le  Ken.r. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


135 


160  Dining  Hall.  King's  College.  Cambridge      Puffin. 

161  Chapel  of  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge.     Mackenzie. 
102  Wradesbury  Mill.     Le  Ken.r. 

163  St.  John's  College.  Oxford.     Puffin. 

164  Library  and  Senate  House.  Cambridge.      Mac 

kenzie. 

165  Build wey  Al»bey.     E.  Day?*.      • 

166  St.  John's  Tower.  Chester     Le  Keux. 

167  Pen-and-ink  Sketch.     Col.  John   TrnmbuU. 
16S  East  End  of  Winchester  Cathedral.    Mackenzie. 

169  Salisbury  Cross.     G it-tin,  and  Turner. 

170  Con  way.     II.  Pijne. 

171  Door  to  Cloisters,  York.     liichardxon. 

172  Evening,  and  Becalmed  Ship.      W.  C.  Knell. 

173  From  Poets'  Corner,  Westminster  Abbey.     John 

Nadi. 

174  Norman  Door,  St.  Peter's.  Oxford.      /".  Alexan 

der. 

175  A  Persian  Puiin.     Dibdin. 

176  Egyptian  Dancing  Girls.     /'.  C.  French. 

177  Afloat.     Knell. 

173  French  Peasants  at  a  Fountain.      Teichet. 
179  Bangor  Abbey,  North  Wales.     J.   Wtbher. 

150  Norman  Church.     E.  Clay. 

151  Chapel  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge.     Pmjin. 
1*2  Hall  of  Harstmonceau.     &  S.  Dod. 

183  The  Wreck.     Knell. 

184  Eagle.  Tower,  Carnarvon  Castle.     Le  Keuv. 
1S5  Haddon  Hall.     J.  Letci*. 

186  The  Scholar  and  Soldier.      George  Cattermole. 
1S7  Tivoli.  Italy.      W.  II.  Burnett. 
1SS  Old  House.  York.     Richardson. 

189  Six  English  Cathedrals.    Auxtinnml  William*. 

190  Thatched  Cottage  in  France.     A.  <>. 

191  Scene  from  Sheridan.      Wright. 

192  The  Ghost  Story.     Alonzo  Cfiappel. 

193  Sketch  in  Spain.     David  Hubert*. 

194  Beaver  Brook, White  Mountains.  Homer  Martin. 

195  Hound  Tower  in  Sussex.     Samuel  Proi/f. 

196  Kitchen.  Netley  Abbey.     II.  Pyne. 

197  Playing  Mai-bles.     Lyxor. 

198  Twilight  on  the  Upper  Seine.     Madamt,  Miche- 

let. 

199  Apple  Tree  Branch.     Pauline  Allain. 

200  Rheinstein.  on  the  Rhine.     Le  Keii.i\ 

201  Chapel  of  Henry  the  Seventh.     John  Xa*h. 

202  Sabrina  Disenchanted.     Richard  We.xtaU. 

203  Westminster  Hall.     John  Naxh. 

204  A  Spanish  Iluin.     Le  Saint. 

205  Wife  of  Andrea  del  Sarto. 

206  Salisbury  Plain,  with  Stonehcntre.     Le,  A>«.r. 

207  The  Vesper  Boll.     Barrett. 

208  The  Sacristan.     John  (Albert. 

209  Marine  View.     Chamber*. 

210  Ruins  in  Auvcrgne  France.     J.  J).  Harding. 

211  Coronation  of  Cnarles    VII..  in   Rheims  Cathe 

dral.     J  L.  Buckle  if. 

212  Morning  on  the  Lower  Thames.     Melrille. 

213  The  Offering.     Coke  Smyth. 

214  Coningsbury   Park.     Pi/ne. 

215  Haddon  Hall.     Harding. 

216  Interior  of  Salisbury  Cathedral.     Mackenzie. 

217  Italian  Ruins.     Earp. 


213  Lady  Chapel,  Salisbury  Cathedral.     Cattermole,. 

219  Landscape  View  in  France.     After  Turner. 

220  Old  World  Homes.     C.  Mozin. 

221  Market  House  near  Windsor  Castle.       Thomax 

Allan.. 

222  Morning  on  the  Thames.     J.   Varley. 

223  Blue-Eyed  Mary.     Boiirier. 

224  Dust  Ho!     Gararni. 

225  Fight  for  the  Prey.     Xextfifld. 

226  Cheddar  Cliffs.     J.  Jackxon. 

227  Ruined  Abbey.     Hoffman. 

228  Eipon  Cathedral.     Le  A'enx. 

229  lliver  of  Romance.     Jute*  Nefo. 

230  The  Beacon  Church.     Clurktton  Stanfeld. 

231  The  Monk  amid  Ruins.     Flenry. 

232  Norman  Tower  and  Terrace.     Hubert. 

233  Upton  Church,  near  Windsor  Castle.     Le  Ke.uar. 

234  Juliet  and  Nurse.     Henry  Warren. 

235  The  Four  Elements.     Henry  Corbould. 

236  Spring.  Woods,  and  Wild  Flowers.      L><i rid. xr>n. 

237  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona,      Wright. 
23S  Take  Care!     Harerhie. 

239  Cassonburir.      William  Hunt. 

240  Soane^s  Museum.  London.     Penry  William*. 

241  Hay  Harvest.     J.  II.  Mole. 

242  Wayside  Chapel  in  Normandy.     G.  Hr**. 

243  Sketch  on  the  Medway.     StanJieM. 

244  Oriental  Lady.     John  Leici*. 

245  Original  Chalk  Study.     Sir  Dai- id  Wilkie. 

246  Monastery  of  St.  John  at  Ephesus.    Brokenden. 

247  Coast  of  Arran,  Scotland.     Houston. 

248  Jealous}*.    Beaiime. 

249  Greek  Brigands.     Sir  Charles  Eaxtlake. 

250  Interior  of  York  Castle.      W.  II.  Bartlett. 

251  View  of  Salisbury.     Bartlett  and  Pyne. 

252  Crossing  the  Brook.     Beaubenff. 

253  River  Side  in  France.     Anattaxi. 

254  View  of  Norwood.     Pyne. 

255  Decline  of  Day  in  Italy.     Charle*  Yacher. 

256  Regent's  Park.  London.     Bartlett. 

257  Celtic  Monuments  in  France.     Bourgeois. 
253  Church  at  Hartteur.  on  the  Seine.     Mar*on. 

259  Ely  Cathedral.     Clennell. 

260  Twilight.     J.  Salmon. 

261  Sunset.     J.  Salmon. 

262  Noon.    J.  Salmon. 

263  Forenoon.     J.  Salmon. 

264  Morning.     J.  Salmon. 

265  St.  Peter's  at  Caen,  Normandy.  Charle*  Vacher. 

266  Nevill's     Court,    Trinity    College,    Cambridge. 

Buckler. 

267  Scene  in  Holland.    Xeuzen. 

263  St.  Peter's  and  the  Vatican,  Rome.     Amid.. 

269  Ruined  Castle.     Deirint. 

270  Summer  Shower     Maplexton. 

271  Old  Houses  in  Bristol.     Hard, rick. 

272  Adoration  of  Shepherds. 

273  The  Pantheon.  Rome.     Amid. 

274  Church  at  Rouen.     //.  Jenkens. 

275  St.  Mark's.  Venice.     Samuel  Proitt. 

276  Venice,  seen   from  the  Grand  Canal.      William 

Wyld. 
27T  The  Open  Sea.     J.  Salmon. 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


278  Hall  at  Knowle,  Kent.    J.  Nash. 

279  Holy  Family.    John  Absolon. 

280  Aspiration.     Gavarni. 

281  Old  Greenwich.     J.  Salmon. 

282  Norman  Tower  and  Mill,  Oxford.    L 

283  Eton  College.     Le  Keux. 

284  Chivalry.     Louis  David. 

285  Classic  Ruin  by  Moonlight,    F.  O.  Finch. 

286  Nestley  Abbey  by  Torchlight.     J.  E.  Buckley. 

287  Fortitude.     Eugene  Delacroix. 

288  Deer  in  Devon  shire  Park.     C.  Pearson. 

289  Sea  Shore  and  Monastic  Ruins.     Salmon. 

290  Sterling  Castle,  and  the  field  of  Bannockburn. 

Houston. 

291  The  Cluirchat  Stoke,  near  Windsor.      Croydon. 

292  Berne,  Switzerland.     J.  M.  W.  Turner. 

293  Bacharach,  on  the  Rhine.     Turner. 

294  Pass  of  St.  Bernard.     Turner. 

295  Sanely  Knowe  and  Srnailholm  Tower.     Turner. 

296  Tomb    of    Henry   III.,    Westminster     Abbey. 

Scandrett. 

297  Reading  the  Legend.     Karl  Ilartmann. 

298  Cadir  Iris  and  Snowdon,  North  Wales.     Copley 

Fielding. 

299  Ruined  Castle  above  Baden-Baden.     Wyld. 

300  C.esar's  Tower,  Essex.     George  Tripp. 

301  Interior  of  St.  Mark's,  Venice.     Lake  Price. 

302  Sketch  of  Church   and   Bay  at  Naples.      John 

Buskin. 

303  Lucerne,  Switzerland,     T.  Richardson. 

304  Tower  Hill,  London.    Le  Keuv. 

305  Bay  Window.     Front. 

306  St.  Stephen's  Church,  London.     Pug  in. 

307  Coronation    of    William    IV.,  in    Westminster 

Abbey.     David  Roberts. 

308  Christmas.     John  Martin. 

309  Joan  of  Arc  in  Prison  at  Rouen.     J.  E.  Buck 

ley. 

310  The  End.     Herring. 

311  Ducks  and  Flowers.      WierjaJ. 

312  Game  Fowls.      Wiegal. 

313  Italian  Landscape,     Leitch. 

314  Loch  Katrine.     Roicbotham. 

315  The  Village  Aristocrat,     Tigal. 

316  St.  Martin  dividing  his  Cloak  with  the  Beggars. 

After  Rubens  and  Vandyke,  by  West. 

317  Saumur,  on  the  Loire.     Eugene  Soulez. 

318  Exeter  Cathedral.     J.  Buckler. 

319  An  Old  Buck  and  Companion.     T.  S.  Cooper. 

320  Merton  College,  Oxford.     .V.  A.  Delamotte. 

321  St.  Mary's  Abbey.  York.     Richardson. 

322  King's  College,  Cambridge.     Mackenzie. 

323  Therborne,  Dorset.    Le  Keux. 

824  Exeter  College.  Oxford.     Delamotte. 

325  Belenzona,  Italy.    J.  Eden. 

326  Melrose  Cross.     Turner. 

327  Interior  of  Oxford  Cathedral.     Delamotte. 

328  Kenil worth  Castle.     Archer. 

329  Depedene  Park,  Surry.     Bartlett. 

330  Crypt  of  Holy  Trinity,  Caen.     J.  S.  Cotman. 

331  Merton  Library,  Oxford.     Delamotte. 

332  George  IV.  Dining   his    Court   in   the    Chinese 

Pavilion  at  Brighton. 


333  Botanic  Garden,  Oxford.     Delamotte. 
834  St.  John's  College,  Oxford.     Delamotte. 

335  Rouveredo,  Italy.    J.  Eden. 

336  University  Boat  Race  on  the  Isis,  Oxford.     De 

lamotte. 

337  Nash's  Castle,  Isle  of  Wight.     W.  Daniels. 

338  Walraken  Church,  Norfolk.     Cattermole. 

339  Cloisters  at  Townloins.     Bagster. 
840  Conway  Castle.     Pyne. 

341  Bust  of  Henry  Clay.     Hart. 

342  St.  Mary's,  Cambridge.     Mackenzie. 

343  Depedene,  Surry.     Bartlett. 

344  Library  of  Merton  College,  Oxford.     Pugin. 

345  Rugby  School.     Pugin. 

346  Winchester  School.     Pugin. 

347  Pembroke  College,  Oxford.     Le  Keux. 

348  Cloisters,  Eton  College.     Pugin. 

349  Dining  Hall,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge.    M«c- 

kenzie. 

350  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge.     Mackenzie. 

351  Interior   of  St.  Mary's,    Cambridge.      Muckev- 

zie. 

352  Westminster  School.     Pugin. 

353  Baliol  College  Chapel,  Oxford.     Le  Keux. 

354  Canons  Ashby.     G.  Shepherd. 

355  Cloister  of  Chester  Cathedral.     Le  Keux. 

356  Twilight  on  Lake  and  Ruin.     Robertson. 

357  St.  Paul's,  London.     Thompson. 

358  Chepstow  Castle.      Webber. 

359  Druidical  Remains.     Bartlett. 

360  Bust  of  Daniel  Webster.     Clevanger. 

361  Corsham  House.     Prout  and  Ilepton. 

362  Trafalgar  Monument,  London.      J.  B.   Thomp 

son. 

363  Winchester  Cathedral.    Mackenzie. 

364  Sir  Walter  Scott's  Monument.     Chercher. 

365  Capitals  in  Salisbury  Cathedral.     Mackenzie. 

366  Norman  Church  Architecture.     Louis   Thomas. 

367  Norman  Domestic  Architecture.       Louis    Tho 

mas. 

368  Abbey  on  the  Loire.     Gobeaud. 

369  Battle  of  Marengo.     Fosbry. 

370  French  Landscape.     Gobeaud. 

371  The  Model  Asleep.     Millais. 
872  Head  of  Maclise.     Hennesay. 

373  White    Mountain  Range  from    Jefferson    Hill. 

William  Hart. 
874  Moonlight  on  Mount  Carter,  Gorham.     Hart. 

375  Cartoon  for  a  Votive  Picture.      Victor  Orsel. 

376  Winged  Head.     Orsel. 

377  Peace.      William  Etty 
878  War.     Etty. 

379  View    down    the     Androscoggin,    from    Milan 

Bridge.     Hart. 

380  Lower  Berlin  Falls.     Hart. 

381  White  Mountains  from  Shelburne.     Hart. 

382  View  from  Milan,  above  the  Bridge.     Hart. 

383  Turner's  Autograph. 

384  Death  of  Abel. 

385  The  Battle  of  the  Amazons.     Bronze. 

386  Ancient  Arms  and  Armor. 

387  Welsh  Women  returning  from  Market     David 

Cox. 


AND    ITS    FOUKDEli.  137 


COPIES. 

3S6  St.  Peter's  and  the  Vatican.  406  Interior  of  Milan  Cathedral,      \ft.er  Pro  tit. 

:^9  The  Pantheon  at  l.'oin.-.  407  Exterior  of  Milan  Cathedral.      The  name. 

390  Niagara.  40s  Midnight  Mass.     After  J fit  (/he. 

391  Cologne  from  the  Rhine.  '  409  View  from  St.  Elmo  Castle.  Naples. 
892  Edge  of  the  Wood.  410  Interior  of  the  Tribune.  Florence. 
393  English  Landscape.     After  .I//"//,/-.  411   Salisbury  Cathedral. 


394  The  Mountain  Stream. 

395  Eton  College.     After  Lmlltnr. 


412  Durham  Cathedral. 

413  The  Meeting  of   Raphael  and  MiYh:iel   Ansrclo. 


£96  Court  of  Eton  College.     The  *nwf.  After  Horace  Vernft. 

397  Windsor    Castle    from   the  Great  Park.  After1  414  Winchester  Cathedral. 

Fyne.  \  415  Incredulity    of  St.    Thomas.      Copied    by  .1ft** 

398  Windsor  Castle.      Tlit  *<i>nf.  Church    from  (Sufi-duo. 

399  Sappho.  I  416  The  Blessed  Mother.     After  Doh-r.  by  the-  *<tmf. 

400  St.  Peter's  and  Vatican.     Pliologranl,.  j  417  La  Vierge  de  Foligno, 


401  The  Colosseum.  Home.     Photograph. 
40-2  The  Roman  Forum.     Photograph. 


418  Ancien-t  Stained  Glass. 

419  Bust  of  Scott 


4>3  Fine  Line  Engraving  of  Oxford.     After  Turner.  |  420  Bust  of  Byron. 

404  The  Good  and  the  Bad.     After  Or*tl.  I  421  Bust  of  Milton. 

405  Glasgow  Cathedral.     After  Dariil  Robert*.  I  422  Bust  of  Shakspeare. 

Tliis  catalogue  reveals,  in  a  degree,  the  treasures  of 
the  Art  Gallery  of  Vassar  College.  These  may  only  be 
estimated  after  considering  the  further  record,  that  the 
pictures  are  accompanied  "by  almost  a  thousand  volumes 
illustrative  of  the  Fine  Ails,  some  of  them  the  most 
rare  and  valuable  ever  published.  Scattered  through  this 
library,  in  bound  folios,  are  thousands  of  original  water- 
color  sketches,  pencil  drawings,  and  engravings,  from  the 
hands  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  modern  artists.  The 
collection  is  particularly  rich  in  architectural  drawings, 
especially  such  as  illustrate  ecclesiology,  in  all  its  forms 
of  church  and  cathedral  structure  and  decoration,  in 
Great  Britain  and  on  the  Continent.  A  large  portion 
of  these  drawings  are  from  the  immense  treasure  of  this 
kind  that  belonged  to  the  late  venerable  antiquary,  and 
author  of  more  than  eighty  illustrated  works,  John 
Britton,  who  permitted  the  collector  of  the  books  and 
pictures  in  the  Art  Gallery  of  Vassar  College  to  draw 
from  them  without  stint.  John  Le  Keux,  many  of  whose 
works  are  in  this  collection,  led  him  to  rich  stores ;  and 
other  friends  abroad,  like  Samuel  Rogers,  the  poet,  Sir 

18 


138  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

Charles  Barry,  John  Ruskin,  Baring  Brothers,  and  others, 
kindly  gave  him  their  efficient  assistance. 

The  collection  of  water-color  pictures  is,  without  doubt, 
superior  to  any  other  in  this  country.  In  a  note  to  the 
author  of  this  Memoir,  the  collector  says :  "  Almost  every 
great  hand  that  Imilt  the  finest  school  of  water-color  on 
earth  is  represented  in  the  Vassar  College  collection ; 
many  of  the  present  age  by  works  ordered  for  it.1' 
Among  these  water-color  pictures  are  four  sketches  by 
Turner,  one  of  which  has  a  peculiar  value,  because  it  con 
tains  the  work  of  three  eminent  contemporary  artists 
on  one  small  piece  of  paper.  It  is  a  sketch  of  the  Pass 
of  St.  Bernard  (204),  which  is  engraved  in  Rogers' s  Italy. 
The  landscape  is  by  Turner;  a  dead  body  in  the  snow 
is  by  Charles  Stothard;  and  the  two  dogs,  which  appear 
a  little  outside  of  the  picture,  are  from  pencil  sketches  by 
Sir  Edwin  Landseer. 

It  would  be  a  delight  to  go  through  this  library 
and  about  the  gallery,  and  examine  in  detail  the  most 
celebrated  of  the  works  before  us.  But  this  we  may 
not  do,  and  we  must  be  contented  with  stopping  a  few 
minutes  to  enjoy  the  most  remarkable.  Among  the 
u  elephant  folios,"  elegantly  bound,  we  find  the  Musee 
Royale  and  the  Musee  Franc.aise ;  engravings  and  descrip 
tions  of  the  pictures,  statues,  bas-reliefs,  and  cameos  in  the 
gallery  of  the  Pitti  Palace,  in  Florence ;  illuminated 
books  of  the  middle  ages ;  Carter's  Ancient  Sculpture 
and  Painting  in  England ;  Coltman's  Architectural  Anti 
quities  of  Normandy ;  Britton's  Exeter  Cathedral,  in 
which  are  bound  up  the  original  drawings  by  Wyatt, 
from  which  all  the  engravings  of  the  work  were  made ; 
Knight's  Ecclesiastical  Architecture  of  Italy ;  Royal  Gallery 


ITS    FOILNDEU. 


189 


of  British    Art;    Gallery  of  Vienna;    Gallery  of  the  Duke 
of  Orleans,  and  many  others  of  great  value  and  rarity. 

Among  the  works  of  art  is  a  perfect  copy,  1)}'  the 
electrotype  process,  of  the  celebrated  silver  dish  now  in 
possession  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  on  which  is  delineated, 


BATTLE  OF  THE  AMAZONS. 


by  a  wonderful  grouping  of  iigures  in  low  relief,  the 
story  of  the  Battle  of  the  Amazons,  which  employed 
the  genius  of  Rubens  and  other  masters.  The  early 
history  of  this  dish  is  unknown.  More  than  twenty 
years  ap;o,  it  was.  found  in  the  hands  of  an  antiquary 


140  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

in  Cologne,  and  was  purchased  by  the  Prussian  monarch 
for  about  twelve  thousand  dollars.  It  bears  internal 
evidence  of  having  been  made  full  three  hundred  years 
ago,  by  Benvenuto  Cellini,  who  was  a  favorite  of  Cosmo 
de  Medici,  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscan v,  and  ranks  hio;h 

«    "  o 

as  a  sculptor,  and  as  the  greatest  medalist  the  world 
has  ever  seen.  None  but  an  artist  possessed  of  his 
genius  could  have  wrought  the  dish  whose  ornamentation 

o  J? 

is  given  in  outline  in  the  sketch  on  the  foregoing  page. 

That  story  of  the  Battle  of  the  Amazons  is  found 
among  the  most  ancient  of  the  classic  fictions.  It  repre 
sents  a  community  or  nation  of  women,  athletic,  fully 
developed,  and  warlike,  giving  offensive  or  defensive  battle 
to  men  whenever  occasion  required.  Like  all  others  of 
those  old  fictions,  it  was  intended  to  illustrate  some 
physical  or  moral  power,  and,  like  them,  it  has  greatly 
taxed  the  ingenuity  of  antiquaries  to  explain  its  hidden 
meaning.  None  believe  it  to  be  an  historical  fact.  Some 

o 

suppose  it  to  represent  the  conquest  of  one  form  of 
religion  over  another,  and  especially  the  spread  of  the 
worship  of  the  Ephesian  Diana  over  the  then  known 
world ;  while  others  believe  that  it  personated  the  right 
of  woman  to  contend  for  equality  with  man,  and  typified 
her  final  victory.  We  will  accept  the  latter  interpreta 
tion,  and  regard  the  great  metal  plate  hanging  in  its 
Art  Gallery  as  the  typical  shield  of  Vassar  College,  the 
first  fully  armed  champion  of  the  right  of  \voman  to  all 
the  knowledge  that  man  may  possess. 

Among  the  pictures  around  us  are  many  whose  history 
is  exceedingly  interesting.  If  you  wish  to  learn  it,  look 
into  that  black-covered  Manuscript  Catalogue  Iving  there, 

o  .          o 

prepared     by    the     collector    of    the    pictures    and     books. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  141 

Who  is  lie  '.  you  may  inquire.  He  is  the  .Reverend 
Elias  L.  Magoon,  I).  I).,  a  clergyman  iu  Albany,  New 
York,  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  one  of  the  Trus 
tees  of  this  College.  For  nearly  a  dozen  years  he  was 
assiduous  at  home  and  abroad,  as  means  and  opportunity 
offered,  in  making  this  collection.  When  the  gallery 
was  finished,  the  proper  committee  wondered  how  they 
should  cover  its  bare  walls  with  appropriate  implements 
of  education  in  art.  Their  desires  were  more  than  satis- 
tied  when  the  generous  Founder  gave  Dr.  Magoon  twenty 
thousand  dollars  for  his  treasures,  and  presented  them  to 
the  Trustees  of  the  Institution.  Thus  munificence,  acting 
iu  unison  Avith  the  previous  labors  of  taste,  has  on  veil  to 

J  o 

Vassar  College  the  means  lor  instruction  in  art  possessed 
by  no  other  seminary  of  learning  in  this  country. 

We  have  lingered  long  in  the  Art  Grallery;  let  us  now 
go  up  to  the  attic  floor,  and  search  for  objects  of  interest 
there.  Around  this  open  court  are  only  baggage-rooms  ( C ); 
and  a  little  to  the  westward  are  students1  parlors,  num 
bering  from  (.H>  to  loo,  with  two  bed-rooms  each.  At  the 
extremity  of  the  long  passage  over  the  Chapel,  on  the  right, 
are  Vocal  Music  rooms  (E  E),  and  on  the  left  are  Drawing 
Studios  (D  D),  where  the  elements  of  art  are  taught,  and 
for  which  purpose  drawings  and  plaster  casts  are  furnished 
in  abundance.  In  each  of  the  towers  (F  F),  at  the  inner 
ana^le  formed  by  the  center  building  and  the  wings,  and 
over  this  floor,  is  an  immense  water-tank,  and  three  others 
are  nearer  the  center.  From  them,  in  a  manner  that  will 
be  mentioned  presently,  about  twenty  thousand  gallons 
of  pure  water  are  distributed  through  the  building  each 
day.  In  the  extremities  of  the  wings  on  this  floor  are  the 
servants'  rooms  ((T  (T). 


142 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


B^ 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  143 

Looking  around  this  floor,  you  would  little  suspect  the 
treasures  of  science  it  contains,  in  the  two  rooms  marked 
A  and  B  on  the  plan.  These  are  the  Cabinets  of  Geology, 
Mineralogy,  and  Lithology,  and  present  one  of  the  most 
complete  and  best  arranged  collections  of  specimens  of 
rocks,  minerals,  and  fossils,  in  the  country.  The  Litho- 
logical  Cabinet  is  nineteen  by  twenty-one  feet  in  area ; 
that  of  Geology  and  Mineralogy  is  twenty-four  by 
seventy-five  feet.  The  latter  is  a  most  attractive  place  for 
the  general  observer  as  well  as  the  philosopher.  The  first 
object  that  meets  the  eye  as  you  enter,  is  the  model  of 
an  immense  fossil  Armadillo  (Schisto-pleurum\  found  near 
Buenos  Ayres,  whose  length,  including  the  head  and  tail, 
is  eight  feet  six  inches,  and  its  height  nearly  five  feet.  It 
is  seen  in  the  center  of  the  room  in  the  accompanying 
picture.  The  body  and  tail  of  the  original  are  at  Dijon, 
in  France,  and  the  head  is  in  the  Garden  of  Plants,  in 
Paris.  This  division  of  the  treasure  is  the  result  of  a  com 
promise  between  two  claimants  to  the  possession  of  the 
whole  fossil.  The  model  of  the  head  was  procured  for 
Vassar  College  only  one  year  ago. 

The  arrangement  of  the  specimens  in  these  cabinets 
has  been  made  with  special  reference  to  instruction. 
The  Cabinet  of  Mineralogy  is  so  compiled  as  to  first 
illustrate  all  the  elementary  questions  of  the  science,  such 
as  relate  to  the  structure,  growth,  form,  and  external 
features  of  minerals ;  and  thus  presents,  in  a  systematic 
collection,  all  the  well-known  and  important  mineral 
species  which  are  met  with  in  nature  in  all  parts  of  the 
world.  The  prominent  features  of  this  cabinet  appear 
under  four  sections :  the  first  illustrating  Crystallography ; 
the  second,  the  Physical  Properties  of  Minerals;  the  third, 


144 


YASSAK    COLLEGE 


a  Working  Collection  ;  and  the  fourth,  a  Systematic  Collec 
tion.  The  first  section  shows  several  series  of  natural 
and  artificial  crystals.  The  second  section  is  divided  into 
nine  series  :  the  first  giving  examples  of  kinds  and  degrees 
of  the  luster  of  minerals ;  the  second,  their  colors  and 
shades  of  color;  the  third,  their  diaphaneity  or  degree  of 
transmission  or  interruption  of  light ;  the  fourth  illustrates 


CABINET  OF  GEOLOGY  AND  MINERALOGY. 


the  retraction  and  polarization  of  light  in  various  minerals; 
the  fifth,  their  phosphorescence  ;  the  sixth,  their  electrical 
and  magnetical  properties;  the  seventh,  their  degrees  of 
specific  gravity;  the  eighth,  a  scale  of  their  hardness;  and 
the  ninth,  the  variety  of  their  taste  and  odor. 

The  third,  or  Working  Section,  contains  about  fifteen 
hundred  specimens  of  minerals,  intended  for  close  examina 
tion  by  the  students  in  every  variety  of  experiment.  The 
fourth  section,  or  Systematic  Collection,  consists  of  about 
two  thousand  specimens,  classified  according  to  Dana's 
system  of  Mineralogy,  It  includes  about  six  hundred 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  145 

varieties,  represented  by  several  specimens,  including  the 
crystallized  and  amorphous  condition.  Each  specimen  is 
neatly  arranged  upon  a  block  and  labeled.  The  detached 
crystals  are  in  part  mounted  on  upright  brass  holders,  the 
name,  form,  <fcc.,  being  inscribed  on  the  pedestal  beneath. 

The  Cabinet  of  Geology  consists  of  about  four  thousand 
specimens  of  rocks,  fossils,  (fee.,  arranged  in  several  distinct 
sections.  The  first  section  is  a  Lithological  collection,  in 
which  are  represented  about  five  hundred  specimens  of 
all  the  known,  varieties  of  rocks,  arranged  in  complete 
illustration  of  the  science  of  Lithology,  and  representative 
of  the  mineral  masses  which  constitute  the  crust  of  our 
globe.  These  are  arranged  in  twelve  distinct  series.  The 
second  section  is  a  Paleontological  collection,  in  which  are 
over  three  hundred  specimens  of  fossils,  showing  all  the 
important  types  of  animal  life,  as  recorded  in  "  God's  elder 
Scriptures,"  written  on  the  crust  of  the  earth.  These  are 
arranged  on  blocks  of  wood  and  labeled.  The  fossils 
of  each  Geological  epoch  are  carefully  grouped  with  a 
determinate  Zoological  order,  and  show  the  types  and  spe 
cies  of  animal  life  which  characterized  each  epoch.  In 
this  manner,  assisted  by  plaster  casts  of  the  larger  and  rarer 
fossils,  a  comprehensive  view  is  given  of  the  features  of 
each  period. 

For  the  purpose  of  further  illustrating  the  whole  science 
of  Geology,  the  Cabinet  contains  about  fifty  Geological 
charts  and  landscapes,  intended  to  show  the  succession  of 
strata  and  the  groups  of  animal  and  vegetable  life  in  each 
of  the  periods.  Some  of  these  pictures  show  the  forms  of 
such  strange  animals,  that  it  is  no  wonder  Lucretius  wrote, 
with  excited  imagination,  after  seeing  (as  we  may  fairly 
believe  he  did)  the  skeleton  of  one  of  them- 

19 


146  VASSAE    COLLEGE 

*'  Hence,  doubtless,  earth  prodigious  forms  at  first 
Gendered,  of  face  and  members  most  grotesque  ; 
Monsters — half  man,  half  woman — shapes  unsound, 
Footless  and  handless,  void  of  mouths  or  eye, 
Or,  from  misjunction,  maimed  of  limb  with  limb." 

This  Cabinet  is  also  furnished  Avith  models,  in  relief, 
of  noted  volcanoes,  and  wooden  models  illustrating  the 
various  phenomena  of  stratification,  faults,  (fee.  These  cabi 
nets,  which  so  completely  illustrate  the  whole  science  of 
Geology,  were  collected  and  thus  admirably  arranged  by 
Professor  II.  A.  Ward,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  and 
were  purchased  of  him  for  Vassar  College. 

We  have  now  visited  every  part  of  the  College  edifice, 
from  the  cellar  to  the  attic ;  let  us  see  what  we  may  find 
of  interest  outside  of  it. 


THE  OBSERVATORY. 


Yonder,  about  eight  hundred  feet  northeast  of  the 
College  building,  is  the  Observatory,  already  mentioned, 
standing  on  the  summit  of  a  rocky  knoll,  at  the  eastern 
verge  of  the  Campus  of  seventy  acres.  Its  foundations  are 


AND    ITS    EG  UNDER.  147 

about  ten  feet  above  the  general  level  of  the  plain,  which 
is  two  hundred  feet  higher  than  the  Hudson  River.  Come ! 
we  may  explore  it  with  a  certainty  of  being  well  rewarded. 
Follow  into  this  crypt-like  entrance,  and  up  this  nar 
row  stairway.  This  is  the  room  in  which  are  the  Astrono 
mical  Clock,  and  the  Chronograph  connected  with  it,  for 
recording  observations.  How  pleasantly  we  are  greeted 
by  this  venerable  man,  the  father  of  the  Professor  of 
Astronomy  in  Vassar  College,  who  first  taught  her  young 
eyes  how  to  explore  the  heavens— 

"  Far  as  the  Solar  Walk  or  Milky  Way," 

and    her   young    mind    to    grasp    the  idea  that  startled  the 
poet  when  he  said : — 

"  How  distant  some  of  those  nocturnal  suns! 
So  distant,  says  the  sage,  't  were  not  absurd 
To  doubt,  if  beams  set  out  at  Nature's  birth 
Are  yet  arrived  at  this  so  foreign  world; 
Though  nothing  half  so  rapid  as  their  flight!" 

We  are  fortunate  in  having  a  friend  so  kind  and 
competent  to  show  us  the  instruments  and  explain  their 
uses.  With  the  descriptions  given  us  by  Professor  Farrar, 
under  whose  direction  the  Observatory  was  built  and 
equipped,  this  visit  may  be  made  very  interesting  and 
instructive.  The  accompanying  diagram,  kindly  furnished 
by  him,  illustrates  the  meridian  section  and  the  ground- 
plan  of  the  Observatory.  The  building  consists,  in  alti 
tude,  of  a  basement,  principal  story,  and  dome ;  and  in 
area,  of  an  octagonal  center  and  three  wings.  In  the 
diagram  of  the  meridian  section,  A  A  indicate  the  ter 
race  ;  B,  the  native  rock ;  and  C,  the  surface  of  the 
plain.  In  the  ground  plan,  D  indicates  a  stairway  lead 
ing  up  to  a  fiat  roof;  E,  the  Transit  room ;  F,  the  Prime 


14:8 


VASSAR    COLLEGE 


Vertical  room ;  G,  the  Clock  and  Chronograph  room ;  II 
and  K,  the  Clock  and  Chronograph  piers ;  M,  the  Equa 
torial  room ;  N,  an  open  stone  platform,  and  O7  a 
covered  stone  platform.  The  scale  is  forty-eight  feet  to 
an  inch.  The  octagon  is  twenty-six  feet  from  face  to 


MERIDIAN  SECTION. 


GROUND  PLAN. 


face,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  dome  twenty-five  feet  seven 
inches  in  extreme  diameter.  The  wings  are  all  of  one  size 
and  form,  being  each  twenty-one  by  twenty-eight  feet  in 
extreme  dimensions,  making  the  entire  length  of  the 

O  o 

building  eighty-two  feet. 

The  basement  of  the  wings  is  nine  feet  in  height, 
but  the  floor  of  the  octagon  (which  is  of  the  same 
external  height)  is  four  and  a  half  feet  above  the 
corresponding  floors  of  the  wings.  The  vertex  of  the 
dome  is  thirty-eight  feet  above  the  foundation.  Its  form 
is  a  hemisphere,  upon  a  cylinder  of  two  feet  altitude. 
All  the  walls  of  the  building  are  of  brick,  and  the 
piers  for  instruments,  of  stone.  The  platforms  are  made 
of  large  flag-stone,  and  the  railings  and  stairways,  of 
iron.  The  walls  of  the  octagon  are  solid,  varying  in 
thickness,  and  afford  a  cylinder  of  great  stability.  Those 
of  the  wings  are  hollow.  The  dome  is  constructed  of 
ribs  of  pine,  resting  on  a  circular  plate  of  the  same 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  149 

material,  and  is  covered  with  heavy  sheet-tin.  Upon 
another  circular  wooden  plate,  1  jolted  to  the  top  of  the 
cylindrical  Avail,  it  is  made  to  revolve  very  easily  by 
an  arrangement  of  sixteen  cast-iron  pulleys,  nine  inches 
in  diameter,  running  on  a  circular  track  of  iron.  Half 
of  them  are  grooved,  and  the  remainder  are  only  friction 
rollers.  There  is  a  contrivance  of  wheels  and  crank,  l>y 
which  a  force  of  only  ten  pounds  is  required  to  move 
the  great  dome,  that  weighs  a  ton  and  a  half.  The  open 
ing  in  the  dome  for  the  Equatorial  is  twenty  inches. 

The  east  or  Transit  wing,  and  north  or  Prime  Vertical 
wing,  have  each  a  slit  in  the  walls  and  roof,  twenty 
inches  Avide,  for  instrumental  observations.  The  south  or 
Clock  and  Chronograph  wing  is  furnished  with  apparatus 
to  keep  those  instruments  in  a  proper  temperature  in 
winter. 

There  are  five  stone  piers,  built  up  from  the  native 
rock  to  the  principal  floors,  on  which  the  instruments 
rest.  These  piers  are  all  disconnected  at  every  point 
from  the  Avails  and  floors  of  the  building,  so  that  they  are 
as  immovable  by  wind  or  any  mechanical  force  as  the 
rock  on  which  they  stand.  The  most  massive  of  these 
is  the  Equatorial  pier,  which  tapers  upward.  The  base 
is  eight  and  a  half  by  nine  and  a  half  feet  in  area, 
and  it  is  thirteen  and  a  half  feet  in  height.  Upon  this 
rests  a  granite  shaft  that  holds  the  great  instrument. 
The  two  shafts  for  the  Transit  and  Meridian  Circle  are 
of  Onondaga  limestone ;  those  for  the  Prime  Vertical  are 
of  Avhite  Westchester  marble  ;  and  the  bases  of  the  Clock 
and  Chronograph  are  mottled  Dover  marble.  The  roofs 
of  the  Avings,  on  to  which  the  students  go  for  observa- 
tions,  are  surrounded  by  substantial  iron  railings. 


150  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Sucli  is  the  Observatory  building.  Now  let  us  look 
at  the  instruments,  and  learn  their  structure  and  uses. 
This  Astronomical  Clock  and  the  Chronograph  connected 
with  it  are  very  perfect  instruments,  manufactured  in  the 
establishment  of  William  Bond  &  Sons,  in  Boston.  The 
clock  dial  warns  us  not  to  linger  too  long  here ;  so 
pass  ii})  the  short  flight  of  steps  to  the  floor  under  the 
great  revolving  dome,  which  the  strength  of  a  little  child 
may  move.  Here  is  the  great  Equatorial  Refractor, 
second  only,  when  it  was  mounted,  to  three  in  the  United 
States  in  the  size  of  its  object-glass,  which  was  thoroughly 
tested  and  highly  approved  by  Professor  Rutherford.  The 
exceptions  were  the  great  telescopes  at  Cambridge,  at 
Hamilton  College,  and  at  the  Dudley  Observatory.  This 
is  the  last  large  instrument  of  the  kind  made  by 
the  late  Henry  Fitz.  The  diameter  of  the  object-glass 
is  twelve  inches  and  three-eighths,  clear  aperture ;  and 
its  focal  length  sixteen  and  a  half  feet.  The  hour- 

o 

circle  is  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  and  reads  by  ver 
niers  to  four  seconds  of  time.  The  declination-circle 
is  twenty  inches  in  diameter,  and  reads  by  verniers  to 
thirty  seconds  of  arc.  The  instrument  has  nine  nega 
tive  eye-pieces,  of  powers  ranging  from  fifty  to  fifteen 
hundred,  for  direct  observation ;  also  a  superior  finding 
telescope,  whose  object-glass  is  three  inches  in  diameter. 
A  driving  clock,  by  which  the  object  is  kept  constantly 
in  the  field  of  view  of  the  telescope,  is  attached  to  the 
mounting.  Other  valuable  appurtenances  are  a  Ring 
Micrometer,  of  diameter  appropriate  to  the  field  of  the 
instrument ;  a  large  position  Filar  Micrometer,  provided 
with  ei^lit  positive  eye-pieces,  and  so  constructed  that 
either  the  field  or  the  wires  may  be  illuminated  at 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  151 

pleasure,  and  a  Spectroscope,  for  the  examination  of  the 
various  spectra  from  celestial  objects.  In  the  adjoining 
room,  at  the  east,  which  is  reached  by  a  descent  of 
a  few  steps,  is  the  Transit  and  Meridian  Circle,  with 
a  telescope  of  such  power  that  it  has  revealed  to  the 
eye  of  the  observer  the  time-star  delta  Ursa  Minoris,  of 
the  fifth  magnitude,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The 

o  o 


FIKST  ASTRONOMICAL  OBSERVATION  AT  VASSAU   COLLEGE. 

first  observation  with  this  instrument  made  by  students 
of  Vassar  College,  under  the  directions  of  Miss  Mitchell, 
was  the  meridian  passage  of  Aldebaran,  on  a  bright 
autumnal  day,  as  a  part  of  a  class  exercise.  One  of  the 
students  knelt,  with  her  eye  to  the  glass,  watching  the 
star  as  it  passed  behind  the  threads  in  the  focus  of  the 
instrument,  while  her  companion  noted  the  time  by  a  chro 
nometer  on  which  she  was  looking,  when  the  star  seemed 
to  touch  those  threads.  So  interesting  was  the  scene,  that 
a  few  weeks  later,  when  a  photographer  was  at  the 


152  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

College,  a  sun-picture  of  tlie  t-AVo  pupils  and  the  instru 
ment,  in  the  Siii lie  position,  was  made  at  the  request  of 
the  Professor  of  Astronomy. 

The  Transit  and  Meridian  Circle  is  of  the  same  size, 
pattern,  and  adjustments  as  that  made  "by  the  same 
manufacturers  (William  J.  Young  tfc  Sons,  of  Philadel 
phia)  for  the  National  Observatory  at  Washington  City. 
The  telescope  is  five  feet  six  inches  in  length,  and  has 
an  object-glass  four  inches  in  diameter.  The  two  circles 
are  each  thirty  inches  in  diameter.  That  used  as  a 
finder  for  the  Transit  reads  Avitli  vernier  to  min 
utes.  The  Meridian  Circle  reads  with  four  microscopes 
to  two  seconds  of  arc.  It  is  furnished  Avith  a  Collii na 
tion  Micrometer,  measuring  to  within  six-tenths  of  a 

o 

second  of  arc,  and  l>y  estimation  to  six-hundredths  of  a 
second ;  with  a  level  sliOAving  a  change  so  small  as  to 
seven  seconds  of  arc.  An  iron  reA^ersino;  stand  serves 

o 

not  only  for  adjusting  the  instrument,  but  also  as  a 
safe  carriage,  to  transfer  it  to  the  piers  in  the  Prime 
Vertical  room,  in  the  North  Aving,  where  are  duplicates 
of  all  the  fixed  mountings,  the  same  instrument  being 

o    "  o 

used  for  both  kinds  of  observations. 

We  have  now  considered  all  of  the  instruments,  and 
their  special  uses.  Let  us  ascend  this  short  flight  of 
steps  from  the  Equatorial  Room  to  the  Avell-guarded  flat 
roof,  on  which  the  students  make  wide  observations  of 
the  heaA^ens  with  unaided  vision.  To  us,  without  teacher 
or  instrument,  and  standing  in  this  bright  sunlight,  we 
see  nothing  more  interesting  from  this  eleA^ated  point 
than  a  serene  sky,  a  pleasant  panorama  of  rural  beauty, 
and  the  great  College  building  and  its  dependencies. 

Southward    of  us   rises   the    Gymnasium,    to    which    we 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  153 

will  now  go,  passing  on  the  way  the  Steam  and  Gas 
house,  seen  a  little  in  the  distance  in  the  picture  of  the 
Observatory,  on  page  14(>.  It  is  three  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  east  of  the  College  building,  and  is  used  for  genera 
ting  materials  for  heating  and  lighting  it.  Four  boilers, 
whose  furnaces  consume  about  fourteen  hundred  tons  of 
coal  in  a  year,  send  steam  sufficient  through  an  iron  main 
to  give  to  the  entire  College  building  a  temperature  not 
lower  than  sixty-five  degrees  Fahrenheit.  From  mains  in 
its  cellars,  the  steam  is  conveyed  in  felted  pipes  alono; 
the  corridors  of  the  first  floor,  from  which  go  branches 
to  every  part  of  the  building.  In  a  similar  manner  gas 
is  conveyed  to  and  distributed  through  the  building. 


THE  RIDING  SCHOOL. 


on    a    gentle 


The  Gymnasium  is  a  spacious  edifice 
eminence,  and  contains  rooms  for  a  Riding  School,  Calis 
thenics,  and  Bowling  Alley;  a  Music  Hall,  Stables,  apart 
ments  for  five  families,  and  rooms  for  a  variet v  of  other 


•jo 


154  V  ASS  AH    COLLEGE 

purposes  not  connected  with  the  main  use  of  the  build 
ing.  It  is  irregular  in  form.  Its  createst  width  is  one 

o  o  o 

hundred  and  thirty  feet,  and  its  entire  depth  one  hundred 
and  forty-five  feet.  The  Riding  School  room  is  sixty  by 
one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  area  and  forty-six  feet 
in  height,  and  is  welJ  lighted  and  ventilated.  Herein 
the  pupils  are  taught  how  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  and 
benefits  of  one  of  the  most  exhilarating  modes  of  out- 
of-door  exercise,  which  is  too  little  practiced  by  women 
in  all  lands,  and  especially  in  our  own.  It  is  a  new 
thing  under  the  sun  to  have  a  riding-school  a  part  of 
the  instrumentalities  of  a  seminary  for  the  education  of 
Young  Women.  In  this,  as  in  other  things,  Vassar  Col 
lege  is  a  pioneer  in  a  good  work.  It  has  been  from  the 
beginning  an  earnest  desire  of  the  Founder  to  have 
physical  training  a  prominent  feature  of  the  institution, 
and  ^  every  necessary  provision  has  been,  made  for  that 
object. 

The  hall  for  the  practice  of  Calisthenics  is  thirty 
feet  in  width  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  and  is  thoroughly 
equipped  with  every  implement  used  in  the  system  of 
Dr.  Dio  Lewis.  Here,  in  appropriate  and  convenient 
costume,  the  pupils  are  instructed  in  the  scientific  use 
of  their  whole  physical  frame,  in  a  manner  that  gives 
pleasure  and  tends  to  impart  health  and  vigor  to  the 
system,  and  grace  and  ease  to  motion.  We  may  not 
over-estimate  the  importance  of  this  part  of  education, 
which  is  now  being  introduced  into  the  best  schools  of 
our  country.  It  is  a  hopeful  revival  of  that  ancient  wis 
dom  that  gave  to  Phidias  and  Apelles  models  for  their 
exquisite  delineations-  (one  in  marble,  the  other  on  canvas) 
of  the  mother  of  Love  of  the  old  Greek  mythology. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


155 


Gymnastic  exercises  seem  to  have  "been  as  old  as  the 
Greek  nation  itself,  and  they  gave  to  the  body  that 
healthy  and  beautiful  development  by  which  they  excelled 
all  other  nations,  and  imparted  to  their  minds  that 
power  and  elasticity  which  will  ever  he  admired  in  all 


THE  CALISTHENIC   HALL. 


their  productions.  In  the  rapidly  growing  popularity  of 
physical  training  of  both  sexes  in  this  country,  is  a 
bright  promise  for  the  future  strength  of  our  people. 

Physical  exercise  at  Vassar  College  is  not  confined  to 
in-door  movements.  There  are  opportunities  for  garden 
ing  on  the  broad  domain.  During  hours  of  relaxation 
from  study,  knots  of  croquet-players  may  be  seen  at  accus 
tomed  places.  Horseback  riding  on  the  road  is  practiced ; 
and  strolls  over  the  adjacent  country,  under  the  lead  of 


156  VASSAL    COLLEGE 

tutors,  in  search  of  Geological  or  Botanical  knowledge,  or 
the  obtaining  of  specimens  of  natural  history,  or  for  sketch 
ing  from  nature,  are  frequent  in  fine  weather  ;  while  walk 
ing  about  the  beautiful  grounds,— growing  more  beautiful 
every  day, — and  rowing  on  Mill  Cove  Lake  in  Summer, 
and  skating  on  its  icy  surface  in  Winter,  make  up  the  sum 
of  exercise  in  open  air.  In  the  accompanying  sketch.  Pro 
fessor  Van  Ingen  lias  given  us  a  pleasing  picture  of  the 
out-of-door  costume  for  riding,  strolling,  and  croquet-play 
ing  of  the  first  students  of  Yassar  College. 


COSTUME  OF  THE  FIKST  STUDENTS  OP  VASSAB  COLLEGE. 

We  have  lingered  long  in  the  buildings;  but  let  us 
now  go  out  and  enjoy  the  fresh  air,  and  the  natural  beau 
ties  of  the  College  grounds,  before  re-entering  the  main 
edifice,  and  observing  the  arrangement,  duties,  and  labors 
of  the  working  force  within  it.  We  will  pass  out  of  this 
stately  gateAvay  (see  page  109),  almost  a  thousand  feet 
from  the  College  building,  into  the  public  road  that  sepa 
rates  the  Campiis  from  the  Vegetable  (rarden  westward  of 
it.  Its  size  is  twentv-three  bv  fifty-five  feet,  with  a  car- 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


157 


riage-way  of  twenty-four  feet.  It  includes  a  dwelling  on 
each  side,  and  is  built  of  the  same  sort  of  materials,  and 
in  the  same  general  style,  as  the  College  edifice. 

Turn  to  the   left,  and  follow  this  pleasant  winding  road 
down    to    Mill  Cove    Lake,  a    beautiful    sheet    of  water    on 


MILL  COVE  LAKE  IN  SUMMER. 

the  College  grounds,  without  an  inlet,  for  it  is  supplied  by 
springs.  Along  its  margin,  near  the  road,  are  some  vene 
rable  and  picturesque  willow  trees,  scarred  by  age  and 
tempests.  On  one  side  of  the  lake  is  a  slope,  fringed  at 
the  water's  edge  witli  shrubbery  and  rushes,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  is  a  bank  covered  with  evergreen  and  deci 
duous  trees.  The  bosom  of  the  tiny  lake  often  presents 
scenes  of  ^reat  animation  at  all  seasons.  In  the  Summer 

C^ 

it  is  dotted  with  boats,  in  which  students  are  engaged  in 
the  healthful  exercise  of  rowing,  while  at  the  little  wharves 
of  plank,  groups  of  expectants  are  waiting  their  turn  to 
enjoy  the  pleasure.  In  the  Winter,  when,  as  Job  says,  "the 


158 


VASSAft    COLLEGE 


waters  are  hid  as  with  a  stone,  and  the  face  of  the  deep 
is  frozen,'1  the  same  students  cover  it  with  skaters.  The 
water  is  always  pellucid ;  always  inflowing  and  outflow 
ing  ;  and  never  presents  any  evidence  of  stagnation. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  road  is  the  Pump-house 
(once  a  mill),  the  machinery  in  which  sends  twenty  thou 
sand  gallons  of  pure  water  every  day  to  the  great  tanks 
in  the  attic  of  the  College  edifice,  and  a  sufficiency  for  use 
hi  the  other  buildings  on  the  grounds.  The  water  passes 
from  the  lake  along  an  iron  pipe  into  two  immense  filters, 
through  which  it  percolates  rapidly  into  a  receiver.  From 
this  reservoir  it  is  pumped  through  pipes,  by  either  steam 
or  water  power,  in  a  continually  ascending  stream,  about 


THE  PUMP-HOUSE  AND  ITS  SURROUNDINGS. 


twenty-three  hundred  feet,  and  then  into  the  tanks  at  the 
top  of  the  College  building,  which  have  each  a  capacity  of 
eight  thousand  gallons.  Near  the  Pump-house  is  the  Ice 
house,  whose  treasures  are  gathered  from  the  lake.  A 
little  distance  from  it  are  the  farm  stables  and  the  farmer's 


ITS    FOUNDKK. 


159 


dwelling-house,  all  of  which  are  indicated  on  the  map  on 
page  99.  We  will  go  through  this  gate  on  the  left,  and 
follow  the  path  down  the  hill  to  Mill  Cove  Brook,  cross 
the  bridge,  and  the  bottom  of  the  little  grassy  valley,  to 
those  double  trees  on  the  slope,  where  we  shall  have  an 
interesting  view  of  this  group  of  buildings,  and  a  glimpse 
of  the  lake  beyond. 

Turn  now,  and  follow  this  pathway  along  the  margin 
of  the  sweet  little  vale  of  Mill  Cove  Brook,  which  is 
traversed  by  the  clear  stream  that  might  well  be  called 
Minnehaha,  or  laughing  water.  How  beautiful  are  those 
green  slopes,  dotted  with  sturdy  oaks,  and  here  and  there 


SCENE  IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  MILL  COVE  BKOOK. 

a  maple  or  an  elm  !  In  the  shadows  of  these  trees,  in 
warm  June  days,  students  may  be  seen  walking,  or  study, 
ing,  or  sitting  in  groups,  in  pleasant  interchange  of 
thoughts  of  home  and  friends  as  the  College  year  draws 

O  t) 

to  a  close,   presenting  an   Arcadian  scene  in  aspect  ;    or  at 


!()()  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

early  morning  they  go  down  and  gather  wild  flowers  in 
the  meadow  on  the  margin  of  the  brook,  reminding  one 
of  Chaucer's  fair  Emilie,  who 

"  At  every  turn  she  took,   and  made  a  stand, 
And  thrust  among  the  thorns  her  little  hand, 
To  draw  a  flower;    and  every  flower  she  drew, 
Siie  shook  the  stalk  and  brushed  away  the  dew  ; 
These  parti-colored  flowers  of  white  and  red 
She,  wove  to  make  a  garland   for  her  head; 
This  done,   she  sung  and  caroled  out  so  clear, 
That  men  and  angels  might  rejoice  to  hear."1 


GROVE  OF  ANCIENT  WILLOWS. 


Farther  down  the  vale,  where  a  dell,  irrigated  ,by  a  little 
stream,  spreads  out  into  a  low,  moist  meadow,  may  be 
seen  a  charming  subject  for  the  painter  of  rural  scenery. 
It  is  a  grove  of  ancient  Avillows,  whose  roots  have  been 
swayed  in  the  oozy  earth  by  the  tempests  among  their 
branches,  until  the  huge  trunks  stand  leaning  in  pictu 
resque  confusion  of  outline.  Near  these  the  Mill  Cove 
Brook  runs  cheerily  by,  and  at  the  extremity  of  the 
College  grounds,  in  this  direction,  commingles  with  an- 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER. 


KU 


other  stream,  that  comes  down  from  behind  the  Observa 
tory  and  the  foot  of  Sunset  Hill.  Where  they  meet, 
and  form  Caspar's  Kil,  is  one  of  the  most  charming  of 
the  (jiiiet  places  on  the  domain.  There  the  half-wooded 
little  hills  approach  each  other,  and.  the  inwoven  branches 
of  the  trees,  with  their  covering  of  verdure,  form  a  shelter 
ing  canopy  for  the  bed  of  the  wedded  brooks.  It  is  a 
spot  beautiful  as  the  Yale  of  Avoca  ;  and  in  the  hearts  of 
many  of  the  students  of  Vassal1  College  who  shall  learn  to 


TUB  MEETING  OF  THE  WATERS. 

love  each  other,  and  shall  "hold  sweet  counsel  together" 
at  this  meeting  of  the  waters,  Memory  will  doubtless 
often,  in  after  years,  awaken  the  sentiment  of  Moore — 

u  There  is  not  in  the  wide  world  u  valley  so  sweet, 
As  that  vale  in  whose  bosom  the  bright  waters  meet : 


162  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Oli !    the  last  rays  of  feeling  and  life  must  depart 

Ere  the  bloom   of  that  valley  shall  fade  from  the  heart." 

Now  let  us  elinil)  this  slope  of  Sunset  Hill  to  the 
summit.  From  this  point  we  overlook  the  whole  domain 
of  the  College  possessions,  and  far  around  it.  Yonder  are 


HEAD   OF   THE   GLEN. 

the  spires  of  Poughkeepsie ;  Imt  the  beautiful  city  is  almost 
hidden  by  intervening  ridges.  Looking  in  that  general 
direction,  you  discern  the  pale  blue  line  of  the  distant 
Shawangunk  mountains,  in  which  the  bear,  the  deer,  and 
the  catamount  abound.  In  the  farther  north,  full  forty 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  163 

miles  distant,  you  see  the  lofty  range  of  the  Katsbergs 
(Catskill  Mountains)  melting  into  the  rolling  farm-lands 
of  Albany  County.  As  we  turn  slowly,  the  eye  compre 
hends  many  a  charming  picture  among  the  rugged  hills 
and  cultivated  fields  of  Ulster  and  Orange  Counties,  along 
the  line  of  the  Hudson  River,  all  the  way  to  the  High 
lands,  the  unity  broken  only  once  or  twice  by  hill-tops 
near.  Here  the  students  take  delight  in  the  visions  of 
glowing  sunsets ;  and  in  the  early  twilight  they  follow 
this  broad  path,  that  leads  down  to  a  bridge  and  up  the 
hill  by  the  Gymnasium  to  the  College  building. 

We    will    turn   to    the    ri^ht    at    the    bridge,    and    PX> 

O  O  O 

up  the  stream  to  the  head  of  the  Glen,  where  we  shall 
be  rewarded  with  a  picture  of  wild  beauty  at  a  group 
of  aged  hemlocks,  which  stand  by  the  side  of  the  path 
way  that  conies  down  to  the  brook  from  the  ridge  near 
the  Observatory.  Places  like  these  the  Poets  people 
with  Fairies  at  the  twilight  hour;  but  here  the  Prosaist 
discovers  something  better— 


"A  Creature  not  too  bright  or  good 
For  human  nature's  daily  food  ; 

A  Being  breathing  thoughtful  breath  — 
A  traveler  between  life  and  death  ; 


And  yet  a  Spirit  still,   and  bright 
With  something  of  an  Angel    light." 

Our  ramble  is  ended.  We  will  re-enter  the  College 
building,  and  observe  the  forces  in  operation  under  its 
roof. 

The  College  work  was  commenced,  as  we  have  ob 
served,  on  the  20th  day  of  September,  1805,  by  a  Presi 
dent,  a  Lady  Principal,  eight  Professors,  and  twenty 


164  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

Instructors  and  Teachers.  These  composed  the  force  for 
government  and  instruction.  The  duties  of  the  general 

o 

management  of  the  affairs  of  the  institution  were  assigned 
to  an  Executive  Committee,  composed  of  seven  members 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees;  a  Treasurer;  a  Secretary,  Avho 
is  also  a  general  Superintendent ;  and  a  Registrar. 

The  special  duties  of  Treasurer  and  Secretary  are 
implied  by  their  titles.  In  addition  to  the  usual  labors 
of  a  Secretary,  that  officer  is  required  to  superintend  the 
general  Business  Department  of  the  College,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Executive  Committee.  He  has  charge 
of  the  farm,  garden,  grounds,  boats,  and  all  other  property 
of  the  Institution;  of  all  purchases,  construction,  repairs, 
and  improvements ;  of  the  Steward,  Matron,  Janitor,  En 
gineer,  Fanner,  and  Gardeners  Departments  ;  and  exercises 
a  supervision  over  all  the  material  and  economic  interests 
of  the  College,  in  these  various  departments.  His  duties 
are  wide  and  various;  and  he  is  the  chief  or<mn  of 

o 

communication  between  the  Executive  Committee  and 
those  employed  in  the  several  departments  of  physical 
labor,  who  number  about  a  hundred  persons. 

The  Registrar  is  the  accountant  and  general  Clerk 
of  the  President,  Avhose  duty  is  to  keep  a  register  of 
all  students  admitted  to  the  College ;  their  places  of 
residence,  the  names  of  their  parents  or  guardians,  and 
their  post-office  addresses.  He  has  charge  of  the  Deposi 
tory  of  books  and  stationery;  and  he  attends  to  receiving, 
forwarding,  and  delivering  all  mail  matter  and  express 
packages,  at  the  College.  The  officers  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  first  appointed,  and  yet  continued,  are  WILLIAM 
KELLY,  Chairman;  MATTHEW  VASSAK,  JR.,  Treasurer  *  and 
CYRUS  SWAN,  Secretary.  JAMES  N.  Scuor  is  Registrar. 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  165 

The  duties  of  the  several  officers  are  strictly  detined. 
The  President  is  the  chief  executive  officer  of  the  College, 
whose  Imsiness  is  to  execute  all  laws  and  regulations 
adopted  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  or  the  Executive 
Committee,  for  the  internal  control  of  the  Institution, 
and  is  responsible  for  his  official  acts  to  those  two 
bodies  only.  This  broad  definition  implies  various  and 
important  special  duties,  all  of  which  are  enumerated 
and  prescribed  in  a  code  of  •"•  Laws  and  Regulations  of 
Vassar  College." 

The  Lady  Principal  is  the  Chief  Executive  aid  of 
the  President  in  the  direction  of  the  teachers  and  in 
the  government  of  the  students.  Her  duties  are  many, 
delicate,  and  very  important,  and,  under  the  established 
laws  and  rules  of  the  Institution,  she  is  immediately 
responsible  to  the  President  in  the  performance  of  them. 
To  her  is  assigned  the  task  of  executing  all  the  laws 
and  regulations  of  the  College  relating  to  the  conduct 
of  the  students  when  out  of  the  class  and  lecture  rooms. 
She  exercises  over  them  a  maternal  supervision  in  their 
private  apartments  (which  she  has  the  right  of  access  to 
at  all  times),  in  the  dining  hall,  in  the  corridors,  in  the 
public  rooms  and  grounds  of  the  College,  and  in  their 
intercourse  with  the  neighboring  community.  She  is  also 
required  to  use  her  best  efforts  to  improve  the  personal 
habits,  social  training,  and  moral  and  religious  culture 
of  the  students.  As  in  the  case  of  the  President,  this 
broad  definition  of  her  duties  implies  many  special  labors 
which  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  College  prescribe. 
In  like  manner,  the  duties,  privileges,  and  powers  of  the 
Professors  are  defined. 

The   Faculty  consists    of   the    President,  Lady  Principal, 


166  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

aud  the  Professors  in  the  regular  collegiate  course,  whose 
duty  is  to  hold  meetings  at  least  once  a  week,  at  a 
time  and  place  appointed  by  the  President.  The  transac 
tions  at  these  meetings  are  both  administrative  and 
legislative,  and  pertain  wholly  to  the  business  of  govern 
ment  and  instruction. 

The  Faculty  are  required,  at  the  commencement  of  each 
year,  to  choose  a  Secretary  to  keep  a  record  of  all  their 
official  transactions,  which  shall  be  at  all  times  open  for 
the  inspection  of  any  member  of  the  Faculty,  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  or  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Their 
transactions  are  all  subject  to  the  scrutiny  and  supervision 
of  the  Executive  Committee,  which  meets  regularly  once 
in  a  fortnight,  at  the  College  office.  Such  is  the  admin 
istrative  force  of  Vassar  College. 

o 

While  ample  provision  is  made  for  the  moral  and 
intellectual  culture  of  the  students,  equally  ample  pro 
vision  is  made  for  their  bodily  health  and  comfort.  Their 
parlors  and  bed  rooms,  as  we  have  observed,  are  in  groups. 
Some  of  the  chambers  contain  single,  and  others  double 
beds,  to  suit  the  taste  and  circumstances  of  occupants. 
They  are  all  airy  and  cheerful,  opening  on  one  side  upon 
the  College  grounds,  and  on  the  other  into  the  spacious 
corridors.  The  rooms  are  neatly  carpeted  and  furnished, 
and  are  kept  in  order  by  the  Matron.  On  each  floor,  at 
the  center  of  the  building,  are  bathing-rooms  and  water- 
closets,  denoted  on  the  plans  by  Roman  numerals.  A 
resident  physician,  in  the  person  of  the  Professor  of 
Physiology  and  Hygiene,  and  a  well-equipped  Infirmary, 
are  provided  for  them  in  sickness;  and  in  health  they 
have  the  ample  Gymnasium  and  the  College  grounds  for 
in-door  and  out-of-door  exercises  of  various  kinds,  for  the 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  167 

promotion  of  physical  vigor  find  mental  strength.  There 
are  walks  and  drives  on  the  College  grounds,  already 
completed,  full  three  miles  in  extent,  and  the  distance  is 
continually  increasing  l>y  laying  out  new  courses.  The 
purest  spring  water,  filtered,  is  used  for  every  purpose  in 
the  College,  and  the  tal>le  is  abundantly  provided  with 
a  variety  of  the  most  wholesome  food. 

Applicants  for  admission  to  the  College  are  required 
to  he  at  least  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  to  furnish  satisfac 
tory  testimonials  of  character.  Most  of  the  students  are 

received    for     the     regular    College    course,    hut    main'    are 

~  t.- 

admitted  to  pursue  special  studies,  selected  l>y  the  advice 
and  with  the  approval  of  the  President.  All  must  enter 
for  the  whole,  or  what  remains,  of  the  College  year,  and 
must  pass  a  satisfactory  examination  in  the  ordinary 
English  branches.  Candidates  for  the  first  year  of  the 
regular  course  are  examined  to  a  certain  extent  in  Latin, 
French,  and  Algebra.  Those  for  an  advanced  standing  in 
the  regular  course  are  examined  in  all  the  preceding 
studies ;  and  special  students,  who  desire  to  enter  advanced 
classes  in  any  Department,  must  be  prepared  in  the  pre 
liminary  branches  of  that  Department. 

The  special  classes  are  not  open  to  all,  indiscriminately, 
or  at  the  mere  option  of  the  student  or  her  friends;  but 
only  to  those  who  can  enter  them  consistently  with  sound 
principles  of  education.  The  regular  course  is  designed 
for  those  who  seek  a  thorough  and  liberal  education,  and 
extends  through  four  years.  Each  department  of  instruc 
tion  is  placed  under  the  responsible  direction  of  a  Pro 
fessor,  aided  by  the  requisite  number  of  teachers.  More 
particular  information  concerning  the  Collegiate  Depart 
ments,  the  subjects  for  instruction  in  each,  and  the  text- 


168  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

l)ooks  and  books  of  reference  used,  may  be  found  in  the 
Annual  Catalogue  of  the  College. 

In  the  extra  Collegiate  Department  there  is  a  School 
of  Vocal  and  Instrumental  Music,  and  a  School  of  Design. 
In  the  former,  instruction  is  given  partly  in  separate  lessons 
to  individuals.,  and  partly  to  classes.  The  aim  of  all 
musical  instruction  in  Vassal*  College  is,  as  in  other  depart 
ments,  in  keeping  with  the  expressed  desire  of  its  Founder, 
which  is  rather  to  create  and  develop  a  genuine  love  for 
all  that  is  good  and  great  in  knowledge,  and  thereby 
cultivate  the  heart  and  discipline  the  mind  of  the  student, 
than  to  spend  precious  time  in  the  acquirement  of  expert- 
ness  in  mere  recitation,  performance,  and  execution.  For 
the*  use  of  this  School  there  are  thirty  music-rooms,  and 
an  equal  number  of  pianos.  The  rudiments  of  musical 
theory  are  taught,  and  chorus-singing  practiced  in  vocal 
classes,  arranged  according  to  proficiency,  to  which  all  the 
members  of  the  College  are  admitted.  Solo-singing,  Organ- 
playing,  and  the  higher  branches  of  theory,  Thorough 
bass  and  Composition,  are  taught  in  private  lessons 
exclusively. 

Instructions  in  the  School  of  Design  cover  the  whole 
ground  of  Elementary  Drawing  and  Painting,  for  which 
purpose  the  contents  of  the  Art  Gallery  are  freely  used. 
The  discipline  and  culture  in  this  department,  as  of  that 
of  music,  is  most  thorough.  The  student  is  carried  through 
a  carefully  arranged  progressive  course,  to  which  she  is 
strictly  confined  ;  and  in  a  large  degree  Nature  furnishes 
her  with  models.  She  is  educated  in  the  essential  prin 
ciples  of  art,  while  training  her  eye  and  hand  to  its 
successful  practice. 

The  testimony  of  competent  observers  now,  at  the  close 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  1(59 

of  the  second  collegiate  year,  is,  that  in  every  Depart 
ment  of  Vassar  College  there  is  evidence  of  the  most 
faithful,  enlightened,  and  efficient  work ;  and  that  positive 
results  are  sufficiently  manifest  to  entitle  the  institution 
to  rank  with  the  best  seminaries  of  learning  in  the  world. 
The  College  is  empowered  by  its  charter  to  confer  all  the 
usual  and  honorary  academic  degrees;  and  there  seem  to 
be,  in  the  early  achievements  of  the  institution,  promises 
that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  an  honor  'conferred 
by  Vassar  College  for  Young  Women  will  be  as  acceptable 
as  that  given  by  the  older  Colleges  and  Universities  for 
Young  Men. 

The  first  collegiate  year  of  Vassar  College  was  an  im 
portant  one,  for  it  was  its  formative  period.  Three  hun 
dred  students  were  there  at  the  beginning,  and  the  number 
soon  increased  to  over  three  hundred  and  fifty,  of  whom 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  of  the  younger  were  from  fifteen 
to  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  fifty-four  of  the  more  mature 
were  from  twenty  to  twenty-four  years  of  age.  Every 
necessary  article  of  equipment  was  ready  for  their  ser 
vice  ;  and  it  seemed,  to  the  superficial  observer,  that  an 
easy  task  lay  before  the  Faculty.  Not  so.  They  had  to 
encounter  a  most  difficult  and  laborious  one.  The  perfect 
machinery  was  all  there,  but  it  needed  the  most  careful 
adjustment  and  lubrication  before  it  could  be  put  into 
harmonious  action ;  and  wise,  thoughtful,  and  assiduous 
efforts  were  required  to  make  that  adjustment.  With 
surprising  facility  and  success  the  Faculty  proceeded  in 
their  delicate  work,  and  it  was  not  long  before  each 
instructor  and  student  was  laboring  in  proper  order, 
and  the  friction  of  the  great  machine,  considering  its  com 
plexity,  was  very  little. 

"  22 


170  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

The  most  difficult  portion  of  the  labor  of  organization 
necessarily  devolved  upon  the  President  and  Lady  Prin 
cipal.  They  were  often  compelled  to  plan  without  a 
precedent,  in  conformity  to  the  law  of  circumstances ;  and 
most  anxiously  did  they  labor.  In  that  work  the  duties 
of  the  Lady  Principal  were  specially  delicate  and  impor 
tant,  for  she  was  to  be  the  official  Mother  of  the  great 
Family  so  suddenly  gathered,  and  composed  of  the  most 
diverse  elements,  of  the  nature  of  which  every  thing  had 
to  be  learned.  Upon  her  devolved  the  duty  of  receiving 
students  on  their  first  arrival ;  of  assigning  them  rooms 
and  room-mates,  and  of  providing  the  means  of  healthful 
social  excitement.  Upon  her  devolved  the  task  of  estab 
lishing  a  system,  conforming  as  nearly  as  possible  to  the 
most  perfect  family  plan,  for  the  domestic  and  social  life 
of  the  College,  that  should  allow  the  greatest  possible  in 
dividual  action  and  development,  and  at  the  same  time 
exercise  all  needful  control.  The  great  question  presented 
itself :  How  shall  we  individualize  the  students  so  as 
to  guard  against  the  evils  incident  to  so  large  an  assem 
blage  of  immature  young  people,  and  to  impress  upon  the 
mind  of  each,  without  a  galling  espionage,  the  conviction 
that  she  is  thoroughly  known  and  hourly  cared  for  ? 

This  important  question  was  promptly  met  with  a 
practical  solution,  the  wisdom  of  which  is  confirmed  by 
all  subsequent  experience.  When  the  Spring  of  1866 
came,  and  six  months  of  labor  and  trial  had  passed, 
Vassar  College,  in  its  material,  intellectual,  social,  and 
religious  aspect,  presented  the  most  gratifying  assurance 
of  its  abundant  success.  Flourishing  Literary  Societies 
had  been  formed  among  the  students  for  their  mutual  im 
provement,  and  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  was,  to  most  of 


AND    ITS    FOUNDER.  171 

them,  a  pleasure  and  not  a  task — a  privilege  and  not  a 
duty. 

The  value  of  Yassar  College  was  now  appreciated  by 
the  students,  and  they  felt  a  strong  desire  to  manifest,  col 
lectively,  their  gratitude  to  the  Founder,  whose  munifi 
cence  had  offered  to  their  sex  so  many  blessings.  The 
opportunity  was  nigh.  The  College  Faculty  had  just 
resolved,  "  That  the  29th  of  April,  the  anniversary  of  the 
birthday  of  Matthew  Yassar,  Founder  of  this  College,  be, 
and  hereby  is,  entered  on  its  Calendar  as  a  holiday,  to  be 
annually  observed  by  commemorative  exercises ;  and  that 
this  anniversary  be  designated  '  The  Founder's  Day.' r 
This  resolution  offered  the  coveted  opportunity,  and  the 
students  were  permitted  to  make  their  desired  demonstra 
tion  on  "  The  Founder's  Day." 

It  was  resolved  by  the  students  to  give  the  Founder 
a  public  reception  at  the  College  on  that,  his  seventy- 
fourth  birthday,  in  the  presence  of  friends,  and  with  appro 
priate  literary  exercises.  Every  heart  was  interested,  and 
every  finger  was  made  busy  in  the  work  of  love.  All  was 
in  readiness  at  the  appointed  time.  The  day  was  perfect 
in  serenity  and  temperature.  The  invited  guests  were 
assembled  in  the  College  parlors  at  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  At  that  hour  there  was  no  outward  token  of 

O 

any  thing  unusual,  excepting  a  beautiful  triumphal  arch, 
covered  with  evergreens,  which  had  been  raised  over  the 
broad  avenue  leading  from  the  Porter's  Lodge  to  the  Col- 
le^e.  On  it  were  the  words,  "WELCOME  TO  THE  FOUNDER." 

o 

In  the  center  was  his  monogram,  gracefully  arranged.  On 
one  side  was  the  date  of  his  birth,  "  APRIL  29,  1792;" 
and  on  the  other  side  the  date  of  the  celebration,  "  APRIL 
29,  1800."  Over  all  fluttered  gay  flags  and  banners. 


172  VASSAR    COLLEGE 

The  Founder  had  received  no  intimation  of  the  in 
tended  honor.  The  President  called  at  his  house  in  the 
city  that  afternoon,  invited  him  to  ride  out  to  the  College 
at  about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  offered  to  accom 
pany  him.  In  this  act  there  was  nothing  remarkable. 
The  time  of  the  short  journey  was  spent  in  ordinary  con 
versation,  and  the  Founder  had  no  suspicions  of  what  he 
was  to  experience  when  his  carriage  should  reach  the 
Porters  Lodge.  There  he  beheld  a  sight  sufficiently 
strange  and  beautiful  to  make  him  doubt  the  testimony 
of  his  own  eyes. 

One  of  the  students,  acting  as  Marshal,  and  accom 
panied  by  two  aids,  had  led  her  fellow-students  in  two 
columns  toward  the  Porter's  Lodge,  and  halted  in  a  posi 
tion  to  form  a  continuous  line  on  each  side  of  the  avenue, 
from  the  gateway  to  the  circle  in  front  of  the  main  en 
trance  to  the  College.  They  were  neatly  arrayed  in 
garments  of  almost  every  variety  of  color,  and  presented  a 
spectacle  of  rare  beauty  and  interest.  When  the  carriage 
of  the  Founder,  in  which  were  only  himself  and  the  Presi 
dent,  passed  into  the  avenue,  he  was  greeted  with  the 
waving  of  white  handkerchiefs  and  the  smiles  of  a  host 

o 

of  delighted  students.    The  heads  of  the  two  columns  then 

o 

turned,  and,  countermarching,  formed  a  flanking  escort  for 
the  carriage  and  a  long  procession.  Meanwhile  the 
Faculty  and  Teachers  Avere  waiting  near  the  entrance 
to  the  College ;  and,  when  the  venerable  and  vene 
rated  man  alighted  from  his  carriage,  a  glad  song  of 
welcome  burst  from  the  lips  of  a  selected  choir  on  the 
portico,  standing  under  flags  and  evergreens  that  deco 
rated  the  front  of  the  building.  Tears  were  the  only 
expression  of  gratitude  which  the  Founder  could  then 


AXD    ITS    FOUNDER.  173 

give     in     response,     for     deep     emotion     had     sealed     his 
lips. 

Supported  by  the  President,  Mr.  Vassar  now  entered 
the  College  vestibule,  and  was  conducted  by  the  Marshal 
and  her  aids  to  a  private  parlor,  where  he  was  intro 
duced  to  the  President  of  the  day,  and  by  her  presented 
to  others.  The  company  then  repaired  to  the  Chapel, 
which  was  tastefully  decorated  with  evergreens  and  flow 
ers.  Over  the  portrait  of  the  Founder  were  the  words,  in 
illuminated  letters  on  a  white  ground,  THE  DESIRE  ACCOM 
PLISHED  is  SWEET  TO  THE  SOUL.  When  the  Trustees  of  the 
College  and  the  students  and  guests  were  seated,  Mr.  Vas 
sar,  surrounded  by  the  Faculty  and  his  feminine  escort, 
entered  the  door.  Then  the  organ  pealed  forth  a  stirring 
voluntary,  and  the  whole  audience  arose  and  remained 
standing  until  the  Chief  Guest  was  seated.  The  Presi 
dent  of  the  College  then  offered  a  prayer.  It  was  fol 
lowed  by  music  from  a  piano  by  one  of  the  students,  and 
the  literary  exercises  proper  began  by  a  Salutatory,  in 
which,  in  chaste  and  glowing  language,  all  the  guests  were 

o  O  O         o     /  O 

welcomed. 

An  essay  on  u  The  "World"1  s  Advance"  was  now  read. 
This  was  followed  by  music  and  recitations,  concerning 
Woman's  social  position  in  different  periods  of  the  world. 
The  students  engaged  in  this  well-arranged  performance 
appeared  in  appropriate  costume — one  as  Deborah,  another 
as  Xantippe,  a  third  as  Joan  of  Arc,  and  so  on.  After 
this  came  music,  and  then  the  reading  of  a  delightful 
poem,  entitled  "Hilltop  Idyl."  This,  like  every  other 
composition  on  the  occasion,  was  an  original  production  of 
the  student  by  whom  it  was  read  or  recited.  It  was 
followed  by  a  "  Floral  Tribute,"  which  presented  a  beau- 


174  VASSAK    COLLEGE 

tiful  spectacle.  Then  one,  in  the  character  of  a  "  Repre 
sentative  Student/'  read  the  following  "Address  to  the 
Founder:"- 

"  Beloved  and  honored  sire  ! 

AVe  come  with  flowers, 

To  speak  for  us  words  passing  our  weak  speech. 
List!    how  their  fragrant  hearts  breathe  redolent 
Our  grateful  wishes  for  thy  natal  day. 
They  are  Spring's  firstlings — rich  in  promises  ; 
So  greetcth  thee  to-day  the  first  glad  springing 
Of  what  thine  hands  have  planted  ; 
Long  Summer  years  shall  come  with  bloom  and  fruitage. 

This  crown  of  flowers 

We  give  thee  in  the  name  of  womanhood, 

Whom  thou  hast  crowned  ; 

These  flowers  are  earthly — fading — 
May  He,  who  smiles  even  here  on  high  emprise. 
And  noble  deed,  wrought  humbly  in  His  name, 
Place  on  thy  brow  at  last  the  unfading  crown 
Of  immortelles  that  angels  gather.7' 

A  large  choir,  accompanied  by  the  organ,  closed  the 
exercises  in  the  Chapel  by  singing  an  original  song,  enti 
tled  "  Our  Father  and  Friend,"  when  the  whole  audience 
arose  and  joined  in  chanting  the  Doxology.  Then  all 
repaired  to  the  Dining  Hall,  where  the  students  had 
provided  a  bountiful  collation ;  and  the  remainder  of  the 
evening  was  spent  in  the  parlors  and  corridors,  in 
pleasant  social  intercourse. 

Here  we  will   leave  Vassar  College  and  its  Founder  to 

o 

the  tender  consideration  of  Posterity,  for  whose  good  they 
exist.  In  all  future  ages,  the  name  of  Matthew  Vassar 
will  be  found  conspicuous  among  those  of  the  benefactors 
of  his  race.  The  heralds  of  that  glorious  fame  came 
thickly  when  intelligence  of  his  great  act  went  abroad,  all 
speaking  in  language  similar  to  one  whose  whole  commu 
nication  was — "  In  Heaven  Angels  sing  God's  praise — on 


AXD    ITS    FOUNDER.  175 

Earth   Women   and  all  good  Men  sing  yours.      Long  may 
you  live  to  hear  it,  is  the  prayer  of  a  Stranger." 

That  "  prayer  of  a  Stranger "  has  "been  answered.  Mr. 
Vassar  has  lived  to  hear  the  just  plaudits  of  his  fellow- 
men.  He  has  lived  to  see  his  great  work  accomplished. 
He  has  lived  to  participate  in  the  second  celebration  of 
"  The  Founder's  Day,"  crowned  with  the  blessings  of  good 
health  and  cheerfulness  of  spirit.  He  has  lived  to  enjoy 
the  fruition  of  his  labors  in  a  great  work  of  benevolence. 
With  his  own  hand  he  planted,  in  generous  soil,  the  seed 
of  a  tree  whose  fruit  shall  be  for  the  moral  healing  of 
the  nations.  With  his  own  hand  he  fostered  the  tender 
germ,  and  cultivated  the  growing  sapling,  until  now  he 
sees  it  in  maturity  of  form  and  strength,  and  laden  with 
abundant  blossoms,  that  prophecy  of  rich  harvests  of  bles 
sings  throughout  many  generations. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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LD  21-100m-6,'56 
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